Anne thinks it was in Guatemala City that we bought that creche. No matter, it’s traveled many miles since. Sort of like the wisemen, also part of the scene.
Some would speculate that they probably weren’t there that first night with the shepherds. Nor did it matter to the parents, better to spread the holiday company out a little, if possible. And Herod’s response of dealing with babies two years and under leaves us with a wider window for their visit.
They’d come a very long way, likely Persia (now Iran) and had been on the “road” about six months.
Think about it. If you wanted to drop in on someone to give a few gifts on Christmas day, you would have been traveling since June. And that’s not sitting in the back seat watching videos . . . it was hard slogging,
provision planning,
fortune expending,
camel rocking,
mountain ascending,
desert trekking,
robber avoiding,
heat enduring,
cold abating,
ground sleeping,
sickness retching,
thirst quenching,
joints jerking,
wife-missing,
shoes mending,
meal rationing,
moods swinging,
staff managing,
animals tending,
route re-checking,
pit-stop making,
days-long resting,
and very slow going.
One could wonder how many times they wondered what they were doing all this for. How many times did they consider turning back?
But there was this star. Something so unusual it still baffles. A comet?
They were star-gazers, followers of astronomy’s precursor. That, and whatever else they had . . . some think access to ancient Hebrew prophesy that foretold a portentious birth with world-wide ramifications. We don’t know and the generally detail-minded Matthew remarked only briefly on this one.
They came to the capital and did their protocol, international guests as they were, and inquired what was known of the birth.
“Ah, birth, yes, a future king, yes, well, ah, we’ll need to get back to you on that” . . . then, whisper whisper . . . “Ah, Bethlehem, yes Bethlehem, that’s what the scrolls say, a little town up the road. Can’t miss it. And let me know what you find so I can come do my worship bit too.”
Seems odd that no one accompanied the entourage for that last short walk down to Bethlehem, even for curiosity. But as Jesus would later say, “It’s in his own country that a prophet is not known.”
He also said, “The seeker finds,” and find they did. They gave their gifts, opulent and symbolic, and, as the parents must have thought, useless.
That is unless cash was needed for an escape to Egypt with soldiers behind.
Then the magi, with fitful sleep, re-routed course and camel-slogged the whole six months back again. Did they wonder on the way, “What was that about?”
It was just a baby. To very young parents, penniless and bewildered, with nothing to guide them but grit and dreams. It was all, you would say, underwhelming.
If we’d known all this before we started, would we have gone? Would we do it all again?
But then, where else would we go?
We’ve seen just enough to kindle a faith. And with a faith, an action. Though the trek be long, costly, and sometimes accompanied with doubt, where else would we go after what we’ve seen?
Where else would be go after what we’ve seen?
_____________
Back in Dana Point.
Next: ‘Tis the Season . . . for the Powers
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
2:28 pm
One of your best!
I love the list of descriptive phrases!
Christmas Blessings on you both.
2:44 pm
I remember the excitement of finally seeing a semblence of a picture when struggling with a jigsaw puzzle as a young lad. Small fragments, humble beginnings, hinting of something larger. That’s what you’ve alluded to with the wisemen, Hyatt. At times I wish God would give me the whole enchilada of what He’s doing around me. But he’d rather give me fragments, with a hint. In that way, I’ll move towards him to find more. Such is the Nativity.
7:09 pm
Great! Thank you, Hyatt.
7:20 pm
Some of us “travel” a long time before we come face to face with Jesus. We wish we had not traveled so long without Him. Then we find out it is all worth it.
I like to think the wise men felt that it was all worth it, on the way back.
Thank you Hyatt.
8:49 pm
Great one Hyatt! I too loved all your descriptive phrases! How long did that take you to come up with all of those?! Wow!!! Hahahaha!! Following the star! That is what we all need to continue to do on our paths in life! Our lives are so rich because of God’s glory!!! All God’s Best and Merry Christmas to all!!!!! Lisa
7:52 am
Hyatt, I’m upset I didn’t come up with this first. Wow.
What a truly mysterious journey and motive for these men. Show’s us from the beginning–this baby is not just for the Jews…but for everybody!
Thanks so much.
Pastor Adam Barton
Akron, Ohio
12:33 pm
I agree. One of your best. I love the ending. I would add, “Where else COULD we go?”
7:20 am
Hyatt, my mom told me once that one of the wisemen were Armenian. Casper was his name. Is that true? Maybe she said that because we are Armenian….not sure
10:29 am
Carmen, Mothers are usually right; I’d go with that.
7:31 am
You are so funny. Well then my mom spoke the truth. I wonder if Casper the wiseman brought the gold?
1:50 pm
Love this one, Hyatt. I just stumbled upon these posts today, after Christmas, but what a perfect time to be reminded of Who it is all about. Who my life is all about.