about us & the Vision

Justin had a vision for Eye of the Magi several years ago. When his children were little, he and his wife Melanie would move the three magi from their nativity set around the house for their children to find each day throughout Advent. Justin imaged a devotional book alongside this playful practice to bring depth to the experience.

Leaning into the historical tradition, Eye on the Magi uses the three names ascribed to magi – Balthazar, Caspar, and Melchior. With that said, little is actually known about these mysterious sages from afar.  Justin wanted the magi to be diverse and include a way for all children to see themselves in the church’s representation of the magi. He is grateful the vision has come to life now in this book thanks to creative artistry of his sister, Krista. The sketch lines of the artwork provide an open feel to each page creating both movement and ongoing action. The artwork is a perfect compliment to the magi’s own movement and serves as an invitation to imagination!

Krista is a trained artist and licensed art teacher. She and her husband live along the Mississippi River in Anoka, Minnesota, with their two boys. Together they spend ample time outdoors enjoying God’s creation. In her free time, Krista enjoys doing dock yoga and scrapbooking with her Mom.

 

Justin serves as co-pastor of Grace University Lutheran Church and lives in Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, with his spouse and three kids – the original Eye on the Magi adventurers! In 2018, Justin authored Is that Poop on My Arm? Parenting While Christian (Fortress Press). 

Author Justin Lind-Ayres (Ayres) and his sister, illustrator Krista Schrock (Ayres), on Christmas morning, 1987. The tree is quite impressive; well done, Mom & Dad!  If you look closely you can see Balthazar, Cassie, and Melchior on the tree….well, if you use your holy imagination that is.