Historical setting: 588 C.E. Forest Primeval
The story continues. “I can’t even tell you now how long a journey it was, but it took them from there, wherever that was, to somewhere beyond the huge glittering temple that seemed was the most important place on earth — Jerusalem. They knew that if something is this important on earth, surely it would be a sign of something greater in heaven.”
Even though I’m just a humble man and not gifted with many voices like Guldilyn, most of these people are listening intently to the story of the star and the magicians who followed it. But I don’t see Thole. I guess he’s heard it before though I do wonder how he can be missing in this crowd. I’ll search later. Right now, everyone is listening to me.
“In the first portico of the Temple the magi were welcomed by a Jewish priest, so they asked, ’Where is this new great power of earth and heaven?’
“Since the high priest was not available at the time they were directed to the palace of Herod the King of the Jews. Herod listened carefully when they explained they were searching for a great new turning of all of earth, maybe a newborn king, or a rapture, or a solstice, or a wild hunt. Maybe it was Herod who put words to what they didn’t know.
“’So you are looking for the King of the Jews? If you find out anything come back and tell me so I can go and be amazed also.’
“So, when the wise women and men of magic gave his request a second thought, they were pretty sure this fellow was up to no good. They just thanked him for his hospitality, and slept on his request to return and tell him how to find this new King.
“Maybe they realized any king who never even looked up at the magical star perched there for all to see, wouldn’t be a very useful King. Maybe they knew such a self-absorbed fellow could have no imagination for a new way of thinking. Or maybe they had a magical dream. But when the travelers awoke they knew to return another way and not to tell anything they learned of the star’s message to this little earthbound collector of garish stuff.”
[Matthew 2:1-18]
(Continued tomorrow)
Lazarus Ink 