THE FOURTH WISE MAN

Christmas has many interesting traditional stories that capture the heart. There is one such story written in 1895 by Henry Van Dyke, about a "Fourth Wise Man" named Artaban who had intended to travel with the other three to see the newborn king.

Artaban sets out to meet the others with his treasures, a sapphire, a ruby, and a pearl of great price. However, he stops along the way to help a dying man, which makes him late to meet the others. Since he can't cross the desert alone without supplies, he sells one of his treasures to buy camels and supplies for the trip. He finally arrives in Bethlehem, but is too late because the child and His parents have fled to Egypt.

While in Bethlehem Artaban saves the life of a child, but it costs another of his gifts for the baby. He continues traveling to Egypt and other countries as he searches for the new King Jesus and performs other acts of charity along the way. After many years, the "Fourth Wise Man" returns to Jerusalem just in time for the crucifixion.

There Artaban spends his last treasure, the pearl, to ransom a young woman being sold into slavery. He is gravely wounded by a fallen roof tile and believes he has failed in his quest when he hears a voice saying, "Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these, you have done it unto Me." (Matthew 25:40)  The "Fourth Wise Man," dies in contentment, having finally found his King and knowing his treasures were acceptable to Him.

Despite such legends, humanity has been eternally affected by the true story of Jesus of Nazareth who is God's love in human form. This time of year we often hear bland pronouncements about the "value of all religions" and how people should show love. But there is really only one Faith that tells of a Savior who forgives people and moves them to genuine acts of Christian love.

The conviction that Jesus is the Savior of the world today motivates over two and a quarter billion people worldwide to worship Jesus, born as a child in Bethlehem and visited by the Magi. May you be among those who kneel in your heart before the Christchild.

Oh, come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.