Letter from a Wiseman

To the Leader of the Chaldean Brethren, the Most Excellent Pharmakos Magus,

I send to you the most joyous of news. We have found him! At long last, to behold his face, though babe he be, and to keep that promise, to worship and distribute those gifts to the one of whom our father Daniel spoke, that one like unto a Son of Man, has given us such great joy, and brings to completion so many of those promises in which we placed our hope and endured such ridicule and scorn – even among our own kindred.

Now, we return with haste, but our coming to you must be delayed, for we must take the longer way home lest we be caught by that Fox, Herod. While we tarry in Joppa, I will attempt to faithfully recount our travels and am sending this letter with the caravan.

Having traveled for six months (and obeying your instructions) we went directly to the city of Jerusalem, the chief city of Judea to inquire as to the meaning of the signs in the heavens which we have seen, and to which tell of that one of whom Balaam foresaw when he spoke: "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel (Num 24:17).” Upon arriving in Jerusalem, we went directly to the Temple, the house of the Most High, and though we were permitted to enter the court of Gentiles, we could find none among the Proselytes who could tell us much of the Messiah. Sure, he would be a Son of David and a servant of God and a light to the nations (all of which we well knew) but they could tell us nothing that would direct us to Him. We inquired in the markets of both: inhabitants of the city and their elders -- the Sanhedrin. Those who seemed to understand the meaning of the things of which we spoke seemed not a little distressed. I confess, that though I thought this odd, I mistook the malevolence behind their expression. It seemed as if none wished to speak at length, and each, in his own way, directed us to the palace of the king, Herod the Idumaean proconsul of Judea and called “the Great.” Indeed, he endeavored great things -- the public forums and buildings rival much which we saw on our journey and even the Temple to the Most High God, Who Is and Will Be, is of such a grand nature that all those who bear the name “Son of Israel” say that it must rival the magnificence of Solomon’s Temple.

And so, my brothers and I went to the palace and presented ourselves to the King of Judea, that same Herod, who seemed both genuinely interested in our quest and most desirous to see our success. He instructed us, by way of his counselors: the chief priests and teachers of the law, that the Messiah was foretold to be born in Bethlehem to which he instructed us to make haste, to seek the child, and to send word of the child’s whereabouts that he, himself, might worship Him. Had we but known the heart which was concealed in such cleaver speech.

We immediately departed, and as the signs in the heaven’s foretold, we came to Bethlehem a small village in the hill country of Judea, where we inquired as to the birth of a baby boy, of the house of David. We were directed to the house of the family of one Jacob bar Matthan, where with our own eyes we beheld the Glory. How long I have meditated on the vision and recited the words of our father, Daniel: “… then I saw one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshipped him. His dominion was an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed…(Daniel 7:13-14).” Our father Daniel was troubled to see it. We, too, were overwhelmed, speechless, de-feated if you will, as we fell to our knees and worshipped the newborn King. Oh my father, Pharmakos, to behold him to whom we and our fathers have looked these ages and ages. Joy to you, blessings, and peace!

As you instructed we gave the gifts which were sent with us: gold and frankincense and myrrh. And the boy’s mother, one Miriam, called Mary, thanked us, and her husband, Joseph son of Jacob honored us with hospitality though their means were meager and our manner was no doubt odd to ones unfamiliar with great matters. Indeed, Mother and Father had no comprehension of our purpose or vocation. What with the gifts (treasure by their reckoning), and our courteous speech (educated and formal), it was set in their minds that we must be kings. Kings, indeed. Rather, subjects and vassals of the infant Messiah.

As we spoke with Mother and Father, I wonder if they were aware of our joy mingled with tears? Precious gifts though they were, these gifts spoke to the nature of His kingdom. Gold for a king’s crown, frankincense for the ascending and fragrant consecrated life, and myrrh to anoint the one who must die. As the prophet has said, “…I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors (Isa. 53:12).” Overjoyed, we intended to set off immediately to Jerusalem in order to inform King Herod of our success and to allow him the opportunity to worship the Messiah, the King of the Jews. That night as we prepared to return to Jerusalem, we were visited by a Messenger of the Lord -- a bright one – (just as you had said) who told us not to return to Herod (for indeed he is a fox – a robber and a thief); one though his mouth offers all sorts of wisdom, has a heart full of wickedness and scheming. We did as the Messenger instructed and departed immediately via another road.

That Fox, Herod, has indeed unveiled his heart! My father, we have just learned that that Fox has been among the defenseless. Though we did not return to Herod, he, apprehending that his deceit had been discovered and was himself deceived, was overcome by a fit of rage in which he set out to usurp the King of kings, by murdering him. This very day, word has reached us that every male child younger than two years old in the region of Bethlehem has been murdered. Oh my father, “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?” Why do “the kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Messiah (Ps. 2:1-2)?”

Indeed, though ‘the voice of weeping and lamentation is heard in Ramah, Rachel weeping for her children,’ the boy was spared, and the family escaped the jaws of the fox and have gone to be with the remnant in exile.

And for us, the brothers and I wait for passage up to Antioch where we will cross to Damascus. I have, most worthy Pharmakos, written to you of our dealings, joys, and troubles. Do not be troubled in our lateness in coming to you. Our joy will only be complete when we see you and the rest of the brethren. Until then recall the joyous words of their prophet,

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory for the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising (Is. 60:1-3).”

Indeed, we three kings have played our part. I send to you the greeting of the choir of heaven which was told us of those who witnessed His coming, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

Your Humble Servant,

Darius

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