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Chaplain’s Corner
by Chaplain Herb Smith
“And lo, the star, which the magi had seen in the east, went on before them,
until it came and stood over where the Child was. And when they saw
the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And they came into the
house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and
worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of
gold and frankincense and myrrh” (Matthew 2:9-12).
During the Christmas break my family enjoys an annual day at Knott’s
Berry Farm, a gracious gift of affordability by Knott’s for law enforcement
and firefighters. One of our favorite traditions there is enjoying a short
play at the Bird Cage Theater of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and O.
Henry’s Gift of the Magi. Both are excellent. One illustrates the thrilling
change that takes place in the human heart when the charity of Christmas
envelopes the spirit:
“Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and
to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. He became as good
a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew,
or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world…
Ever afterwards… it was always said of him that he knew how to keep
Christmas well…”
But the other story demonstrates the priceless joy that satisfies our
highest desires when love’s sacrifice is borne for another. I find this
story even more intriguing because although Scrooge’s story resolves
the burden of a dark and pitiless soul, O’ Henry’s Jim and Della takes
such love to its highest expression. So deep is their love for each other
that there is nothing held in reserve toward their greater longing for
what each surmises to be the other’s most extravagant yearning; and
they through their near despairing poverty to provide it, find the means
in the very object of that yearning (I strive to keep the ending a secret
here, should you decide to enjoy this happy Knott’s tradition as well).
What they succeed in giving each other are objects of much sacrifice but
alas of scarce practical use, yet thoroughly singular, and of perennial
significance.
What were the gifts of the magi (a caste of scholarly men from the
east specializing in astrology, medicine, natural science and ancient
prophesy)? They had seen a star that, from their vantage point, was
arising out of Israel: “A star shall come forth from Jacob (another name
for Israel), and a scepter shall rise out of Israel”… (Numbers 24:17).
They came to Jerusalem in search of a new born King, to worship Him.
They were sent by King Herod to Bethlehem, where the prophet Micah
centuries prior foretold the Messiah would be born: “And you, Bethlehem,
land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; for out
of you shall come forth a ruler, who will shepherd My people Israel”
(Micah 5:2).
According to the New Testament book of Matthew, they found Him
there, in a house, now some months old, probably by representation from
the shepherds who attended to Him the night He was born, astonished
as they were. When the magi saw Him, “they fell down and worshiped
Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and
frankincense and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11).
Each of these gifts had value not only for what they were, as valuable today
as they were then, but for what they signi-ied. Gold was the substance of
kings, rightly adorning crown and position. Frankincense, an aromatic
tree gum used in incense, was utilized by priests in the temple while
intercession was being made for the people. Myrrh, also resin from tree
sap, was used medicinally in a balm or salve by physicians for healing.
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