Most people are unaware of many of the real details of the Christmas story. Most notably they do not know that the Magi were not present on the first Christmas night. The ones we call the Wise Men arrived several months, possibly as long as a year or more after the event. We know that they were men of some political influence because they were granted an audience with King Herod and were rich from the gifts they gave to Mary and Joseph. It is uncertain how many of them there were. Given their wealth and influence, they probably traveled in a large caravan with many servants and guards. They were also men of learning and well educated to have known that one particular star in a heaven filled with stars was unique and that it would lead to a great king.
However, although they were not there to witness the birth of Jesus, their faith is astonishing, nonetheless. It is my belief that the star they would follow appeared on that miraculous night of the nativity. I can imagine them gathered on the balcony of a large palace in Bagdad or some other splendid eastern city, possibly eating a meal and enjoying fellowship with each other. They saw the star and determined that they had to go and see the ruler who had so much favor in Heaven that a celestial body announced his birth. Think of the faith it took to undertake a long journey that was not without obstacles and danger and came at a personal cost as travel was not cheap.
Their faith was so strong that they believed the little baby they found in Bethlehem, though of a humble family, was destined to be not only a king, but a might king. It was demonstrated by the fact that they presented to the child the expensive gifts they brought with them then obeyed God’s warning not to speak to Herod about what they had found. They risked their own lives quietly leaving Judea as they did because the Jewish king was known for his vindictive nature and intense cruelty toward his enemies.
For those looking back to an event which took place over 2000 years ago, their faith should be an inspiration. They believed, even though they saw nothing more than a star in the sky. Then they acted on that faith.
As a writer, I never let the facts get in the way of a good story. Therefore, like most people, I have the three wise men in my annual manger scene. In commemorating the first Christmas, I recognize the faith of all who believed in the miracle of that night, especially several men in a faraway city gazing up at a star.
However, although they were not there to witness the birth of Jesus, their faith is astonishing, nonetheless. It is my belief that the star they would follow appeared on that miraculous night of the nativity. I can imagine them gathered on the balcony of a large palace in Bagdad or some other splendid eastern city, possibly eating a meal and enjoying fellowship with each other. They saw the star and determined that they had to go and see the ruler who had so much favor in Heaven that a celestial body announced his birth. Think of the faith it took to undertake a long journey that was not without obstacles and danger and came at a personal cost as travel was not cheap.
Their faith was so strong that they believed the little baby they found in Bethlehem, though of a humble family, was destined to be not only a king, but a might king. It was demonstrated by the fact that they presented to the child the expensive gifts they brought with them then obeyed God’s warning not to speak to Herod about what they had found. They risked their own lives quietly leaving Judea as they did because the Jewish king was known for his vindictive nature and intense cruelty toward his enemies.
For those looking back to an event which took place over 2000 years ago, their faith should be an inspiration. They believed, even though they saw nothing more than a star in the sky. Then they acted on that faith.
As a writer, I never let the facts get in the way of a good story. Therefore, like most people, I have the three wise men in my annual manger scene. In commemorating the first Christmas, I recognize the faith of all who believed in the miracle of that night, especially several men in a faraway city gazing up at a star.
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