THE new year should by rights be a fairly gloomy and dismal time: our Christmas holidays have finished; the coldest days of winter are still to come; children have to return to school for a new term; we are bombarded with reminders that we should lose weight after our yuletide excesses; savings must be made to pay off our credit card bills; tax returns have to be completed.

But despite all this, new year is actually a time for some optimism. In a similar way, perhaps, as a wedding – despite all the costs – is a time for celebration; or the birth of a baby – despite the prospect of sleepless nights and smelly nappies – is a cause for joy. New beginnings are all about "Good News" and opportunities to be grasped.

In that sense we share something special with the wise men who journeyed to find the child Jesus. They are alerted to a new event, and they set out on a journey, with hope and optimism – not just to discover the Good News, but further to make it plain for others to see, to open it up for others to find their own way.

The wise men are on an expedition of discovery. They are curious, inquisitive, tenacious, reverent, and obedient. It is very well worth pausing here to note that the wise men are very much in for the long haul: they are not to be put off by the length or the complexity of the journey; neither will they allow setbacks on the way to distract them from their goal. This is perhaps in marked contrast to our often-faltering resolve, our desire for short-term success, and the ease with which we can be sidetracked.

The journey of the wise men reaches its climax with the offering of gifts. As we look to their example, it is well worth asking what it means for us to give in a spirit of generosity. So often, our gifts are begrudgingly offered and adequate rather than generous. It is easy to give in a way that does not affect our lifestyle too much or the choices we make. As we present our gifts, whether to the service of God or our neighbour, it should demand a critical consideration as to what is appropriate – both in our money and our time.

We should not deceive ourselves that the wise men's journey would have been anything but very been costly in many ways; but at the same time deeply fulfilling.