Our diagrammatical charts, our learned books
advised us of the moment to set off,
told us to expect a sign, possibly a meteor.
We were prepared and packed
with presents for a royal personage,
imagining him dressed luxuriously,
sparkling with jewels. Our gifts were precious;
gold was expensive, frankincense rare and holy,
myrrh significant and costly.
An undeniable sign drew us at the end.
A star we had never seen before
dazzled and beckoned. The royal
personage must be near. We followed confident
of a memorable event. But what a cruel shock
to find a desolate stable, a poor couple
tending a newborn baby! There must
be some mistake; but no, the star
was pouring white light over that ramshackle building.
We presented our gifts, and the child seemed to smile; but we stood there shocked. After such effort
poring over astronomical maps and books,
sure of our trust in a divine revelation,
was this scene all we�d been guided to?
The mother and father took our gifts with grace�
no doubt they�d sell them for much needed cash!�while we stood dumbfounded, disappointed.
Not much to tell our friends at home.
We were so certain we�d be bringing news
of a royal personage, a new and divine king.
We had not expected his family to be poor.
Wise Men
Sylvia Read