Every Christmas, I ask myself, if I had been a student of the stars, would I have believed the new star in the sky announced the birth of a king?
George Donaldson - wise beyond years
Scott Crain asks the same question in Chasing Starlight. In this creative Christmas monologue, Crain examines the 4th Wiseman, an astrologer who made the fateful decision to stay home rather accompany his colleagues to investigate the brilliant light.
I love getting ready for our church’s annual Christmas Eve service. First, I find a wiseman-looking fellow to perform the monologue. I rehearse him until he wants to shoot me. I insist he dig deeper into the motivation for the 4th Wiseman’s fateful decision with every minute spent on the boards. Then I add the music that will underscore the piece. But I do not actually have a 4th Wiseman character until I break out the wiseman costume. Once I put the actor in the wiseman costume I can SEE characterization truly developed.
Something about the luxurious fabrics, sparkly sequins, and the turbaned hat transforms the actor into the 4th Wiseman.
God did the same thing for us.
He gave us a great script (His Word) and sent a cloud of witnesses to rehearse the benefits of his involvement in our lives. But it was not until the Incarnate donned the costume of humanity and became flesh that we could SEE our Creator’s true character.
Lord, help me to continually don the character of Christ that the world may see you.
Well said, Lynne. The picture really helps bring it to life.
Thanks, Julie. You’re such a sweetheart.
What about the story of the 4th Wiseman who started the journey but didn’t get there because he helped so many people during his journey?
The Other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke is the story referred to in my earlier post.
Bill, thanks for the reference. I’ll have to check it out!
God is so good! And you are so talented, Lynne! Thanks for sharing this!
You’re right, Marji. God has proven himself faithful to us, hasn’t he!!!!!!
Great post. Challenging and to the point. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by, Rhonda. Are you ready for Christmas?
Good question! I definitely do not feel ready. However, I have really enjoyed how our church is focusing on Advent this season. We are building a Christ Tree, which is based upon the original Paradise Tree from Medieval times. It really gives an extra special meaning to decorating the Christmas tree. We have a new ornament each week. Week 1 – Apple; Week 2 – Rainbow; Week 3 – Rose; Week 4 – Communion Wafers. And each has a special meaning/story to tell. Are you doing anything special for the Advent season at your church?
Sounds interesting, Rhonda. No. We meet in a school, so it is really hard to do something that is not easily carried in in a Rubermaid tub!