My favourite Christmas story (other than the Biblical one) which, again, I hadnt read until doing this book - THE STORY OF THE OTHER WISE MAN Anyone who knows the Christmas Story will have heard of Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar, the Magi, the Three Kings, the Three Wise Men. But Henry Van Dyke tells us of a fourth Wise Man - Artaban! Setting out in a hurry to meet the other Magi he stops to help a man dying in the desert, and he misses the caravan. Thereafter he is always just one step behind. He arrives in Bethlehem too late for find the baby Jesus. But he saves another child from King Herods rampaging soldiers. He travels to Egypt and finds, not his King, but countless other people to help with his healing skills. Thirty three years after he began his quest he gets to Jerusalem in time for the crucifixion, but misses seeing his Lord because he is buying a young woman her freedom with the last of the gifts he brought for the Christ. As the earth shakes, as Jesus dies, a loose slate falls from a roof and strikes him a mortal blow. He faces death convinced he has failed in what he set out to do - find the King of Heaven. As he leaves this life a quiet voice assures Artaban that he has seen Jesus many times, and Jesus has seen him. Artabans story is our story. Twenty centuries separate us from the earthly life of Jesus the Man. Search as we will, we are unlikely to meet him in the way Artaban hoped to, but, in the words of the Lord himself, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” In comforting the sick, protecting the weak, and caring for the prisoner Artaban was constantly with Jesus. If you or I would be the Other Wise Man (or Wise Woman) then we should do the same. Those Little Extras • The Story Of The Other Wise Man was first published in 1895. • A TV adaptation, by Hallmark Hall Of Fame, was aired in 1953. • In the year 2000 an opera based on the story was first performed. • Harper’s New Monthly Magazine described the story as, So beautiful and so true to what is best in our natures, and so full of the Christmas spirit.” To The Gift-Giver The Wise Men had a unique opportunity, and they took it. There journey might have been a long one, it might have been expensive, dangerous even, but they took it. Thanks to your sacrifice, Lord, we have a better opportunity. You walk with us and you place yourself in front of us day by day. May we be wise enough to see you. From The Gift-Giver Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. Matthew 2:1-2. KJV How Wonderful Other People Thought It Was “I cannot imagine how religious persons can live satisfied without the practice of the presence of God. For my part I keep myself retired with Him in the depth of centre of my soul as much as I can; and while I am so with Him I fear nothing; but the least turning from Him is insupportable.” Brother Lawrence. French lay-monk. c1614-1691 “The most precious thing about Jesus is the fact that He is not the great discourager, but the great encourager!” William Barclay. Scottish author and theologian. 1907-1978 “There is no one so lost that Jesus cannot find him and save him.” Andrew Murray, South African preacher. 1828-1917 “In your teaching, let not your end be to seek and find out curiosities and subtleties, but to find and meet with Christ.” Thomas Taylor. English puritan. 1576-1633 “Keep close to Jesus.” Paul the Great. (Paul of Thebes.) One of the first Christian hermits. c228-c341 https://youtube/watch?v=XL3I-PMFLBU
Posted on: Sat, 06 Dec 2014 09:44:26 +0000
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