By Another Route

I complained to my sister Val about how I didn't feel like pulling out the older Christmas decorations at our mother’s house. Val commented that she enjoyed doing it because the old boxes of Christmas bulbs had Dad's writing on them-one year he must have tried to organize them. And there were his words -- I had never noticed them before. This was long after he had passed away, and it gave me a nice warm feeling thinking about him. When it came time to wrap presents, we improvised with what we had on hand (i.e. last year's wrappings) to make the most beautiful and interesting packages.  

Another time, I discovered that it wasn't all that bad a job to take down the Christmas decorations, because you get to handle all the beautiful bulbs and interesting figures all over again as you take them down and wrap them, storing them for next year. 

And just as the Magi returned home by another route, discovering unexpected grace along the way, I’m learning that even the small, ordinary paths—old boxes, reused ribbons, and the tender work of putting things away—can become the very place where God meets us with memory, wonder, and new life.

Reflect on the Word

The Magi Visit the Messiah  

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 

“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Matthew 2:1 - 12 (NIV)

Take a Moment to Pray

Dear God, help me appreciate all those who are in my life. Help me to see beauty and wisdom in things my parents & family have taught me. May I watch for messages – the bright star in the sky or a quiet nudge urging me to go another route – remembering that God helped Mary and Joseph as they improvised shelter for Baby Jesus in the Manger and the Wisemen were led to worship the Christ-child even under threat of duress. Amen.  

Listen to the Carol

At its heart, We Three Kings invites us to see the Magi’s journey as our own: a pilgrimage toward Christ who is King, God, and Savior. Each gift the Magi carry—gold for his kingship, frankincense for his divinity, and myrrh foreshadowing his sacrificial love—reveals a different facet of who Jesus is and why he comes into the world. As the star leads them step by step, the carol reminds us that Advent is a season of following light in a shadowed world, trusting that God is still guiding us toward hope, truth, and the perfect light that breaks into every darkness.

One of the most hauntingly beautiful melodies of the holiday season, a must on guitar. Hope you enjoy the harp guitar version played here by Jamie Dupuis.  As you listen, ponder the lyrics below written by Episcopal priest John Henry Hopkins Jr. in 1857 for a Christmas pageant at the church where he was serving.

We three kings of orient are, 

Bearing gifts we traverse afar  

Field and fountain,  

Moor and mountain,  

Following yonder star.  

Refrain

O star of wonder, star of night,  

Star with royal beauty bright.  

Westward leading, still proceeding,  

Guide us to thy perfect light.  

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain,  

Gold I bring to crown Him again  

King for ever, ceasing never  

Over us all to reign.   Refrain

Frankincense to offer have I,  

Incense owns a Deity nigh  

Prayer and praising, all men raising,  

Worship Him, God most high.  Refrain

Myrrh is mine,  

Its bitter perfume breathes  

A life of gathering gloom.  

Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,  

Sealed in the stone cold tomb.  Refrain

Glorious now behold Him arise,  

King and God and Sacrifice!  

Heaven sings, 'Alleluia!'  

'Alleluia!' the Earth replies.  Refrain