the wise men

so i got to wondering yesterday...why did the magi bring gifts? seems odd in that here were these astrologers, from east of bethlehem, after seeing a star, they load up the camels and trek east thru the desert to find this kid. upon finding him, they present gifts, as the Bible says, fit for a king. they encounter herod, who wants to kill this one born king, and probably quite an array of other characters along the way. i've heard that the gifts were significant -- gold for a king, incense to indicate the divine nature of the boy, and myrrh, which was to indicate that even at birth, death was a part of this child's destiny.

what a wild story. thinking about it yesterday during the choir program; what would it look like to now? would the magi pull up, find us all together with trees in the sanctuary, all dressed in red and wool, singing songs about a baby and angels and kings, centered on a feed trough propped up front and center.

it's still a pretty wild story. one i love more than i can express...

happy first monday of advent! let the anticipation begin...