Monday, January 4, 2021

Chapter 12. YOU HAVE REACHED YOUR DESTINATION.

YOU HAVE REACHED YOUR DESTINATION. (to be read on Jan 5)

(continued from THE PALACE ON THE HILL)

- stories for children by Aurrsa.


The three wise men sat down to a splendid spread, set on an ornate table. They ate to their heart's content, sipping wine from sparkling goblets in between mouthfuls of well cooked lamb and venison. Then, reclining on silk-laden couches, they prepared for a well deserved nap. Soon they were fast asleep.

Meanwhile, King Herod sent the captain of the guard to bring him the chief priest. When the chief priest arrived, he questioned him at length about the new star. He learnt that the prophecies of old were coming true. Dismissing the priest with a handsome bribe and warning him not to reveal anything to the people, Herod went back to his chambers and woke up the sleeping travellers. 

"Arise, there is no time to lose." he exclaimed. "You must make haste to find this king, for he is meant to fulfill the prophecies of our people,"  "And" he added, "when you find him, you must return back to tell me where he is so that I too may pay him homage."

The wise men saddled their camels with more food and water for they did not know how far their final destination might be. 

"We will need to give the newborn king some gift," Gaspar said. He took out his bag of coins. "I have only these few coins. Much was spent on the journey." 

Melchior had ONLY one thing to give: he could  give only that. "I'll give my jar of frankincense."he said,  showing the other two his priceless possession.

Balthazar said nothing. He looked dismayed. The other two looked at each other, then asked in unison, "Balthazar, what will you give the child king?"

"I have this." he said sadly, showing them the jar of myrrh  "It connects me with my dead son. How can I possibly part with it?"

"See if you have anything else to give then." said Gaspar kindly. Although not a father yet, he could well imagine the pain in  Balthazar's heart. Melchior too understood. Although his loss had been monetary, the pain was the same.

Balthazar shook his head. He had nothing worthy to give other than the myrrh. He had to part with it. There - he had made his decision. No turning back now!

The three wise men bid farewell to King Herod, promising to return soon with the whereabouts of the new king. Mounting their camels, they proceeded to the city gates and - lo and behold! the star was waiting for them there.

They followed the star to a place called Bethlehem, some 4000 miles from Jerusalem. The star led them straight to Farmer Shalom's stable, hovering over it and filling the interior with a radiant light. 

As they arrived, they were greeted with singing. A chorus of angels and shepherds welcomed them in. What a wondrous sight they saw when they entered the stable. Mary, Joseph and a little baby were enveloped in the warm glow of the Spirit. 

The three wise men knew that they were in the presence of something divine. Suddenly, their gifts made sense. Gold for a king, frankincense for a God and myrrh for a mortal being. Bowing reverently, they placed their gifts at the feet of the newborn king.

When they looked up, what do you think they saw? The baby Jesus was smiling sweetly at them. Mary and Joseph thanked them for the valuable gifts, (for in those days, all three were very costly). 

Later, the farmer and his wife took the three wise men to rest at the inn (for by then the census being taken, the inn was empty again except for a few holidaymakers). In the night, however, they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod. So, they left the inn in the dead of the night without waking a soul and took another route back to Jamal.

Once they reached the caravan, Balthazar gave Gaspar a bag of coins for his journey back home. Melchior, well, he stayed with Balthazar, and became chief trader in due course. And Balthazar got the best gift of all. His wife whispered her 'good news' into his ears as soon as they were alone in the tent.

Wiping away tears of joy, Balthazar placed in his son's clay plate what he had brought back with him from the stable of Bethlehem. Can you guess, children, what he put in it? 


A FEW PIECES OF STRAW FROM THE GOD CHILD'S MANGER! 


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Children, this is the last story for these days of Christmas, but I cannot leave without asking you

WHAT GIFT WILL YOU GIVE THE CHILD JESUS THIS CHRISTMAS? 

Think hard and make sure to give it to Him when you place the three wise men in the crib today. Shalom and may God bless you with patience of an ox, humility of a donkey, gentleness of sheep, simplicity of the shepherds, and sacrificial generosity of the three wise men.


#aceseasonofjoy

@copyrightaurrsa

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