When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. - Matthew 2:10-11 Today's

The star was getting closer and brighter.  Gaspar, Balthasar, and Melchior felt they were getting closer to meeting the King they had been seeking. Today’s Quote:  “Look up and raise your heads” (Luke 21:28) Advent creates people, new people.  We too are supposed to become new people in Advent.  Look

Our traveling wise men were delighted to meet three feathered creatures on their journey.  “Perhaps a bird’s eye view is exactly what we need to help us reach our destination!” exclaimed Balthasar. The men were hoping that the birds would give them a ride and enable them to see over

Gaspar, Balthasar and Melchior had this strange feeling when they gazed upon the image on the glass ball in front of them. There was something about that image that was eerily familiar to them, but they couldn’t quite put their finger on it… Today’s Quote:The magi signal to us that

Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar are wishing for peace in this new year. Today's Quote: In our joy, we think we hear a whisper. At first it is too soft. Then only half heard. We listen carefully as it gathers strength. We hear a sweetness. The word is Peace. It is

Gaspar, Balthasar and Melchior suddenly realized that it was New Year’s Eve night.  They began to frantically ransack their minds for all the lore they had learned about what to do to bring themselves luck for the New Year.   “Don’t put up a new calendar until tomorrow!” said Balthasar. 

The wise men’s hearts were still strangely warmed from their earlier discussion with John Wesley, but Gaspar had been chewing on what was discussed and was looking for a loophole.  He had heard somewhere that he could stay rich if he could shove his camel through a needle, so he

Gaspar, Balthasar and Melchior heard bells ringing in the distance and headed in that direction.  “This can only mean that Bernie has found the actual shepherds!” said Gaspar sagely.  “Why is that?” asked Melchior, who was getting frustrated by their journey.  “Because every time a bell rings an angel gets

Just then, an angel appeared unto them. “BE NOT AFRAID!” the angel said.  But Gaspar, Balthasar and Melchior were not afraid.  This angel had no wings, and did not strike fear into them somehow.  “Thank goodness I found you!” said the angel, whose name was Bernie -”I am the angel

After the donkey had shared all his gossip about this stable in an inn in Bethlehem, the camels began to move again.  But Melchior noticed one animal had been left behind.  It was none other than Zebedee the sheep.  He was definitely prone to wander, and had gotten himself separated

While our wise men continue to wander the area searching for the newborn King, this was happening in an inn in Bethlehem.    Today’s Quote:   The Many Disguises of Emmanuel Emmanuel, God-with-us, Long awaited, eagerly anticipated, Delicious dreams of royal robes, A messiah enthroned with elegance.   False notions and

Gaspar, Balthasar and Melchior arrived in Bethlehem and were looking for lodging.  They had reservations at one inn, but it had overbooked and didn’t have room for their camels in the stables.  They were putting actual guests in the stables!  Our traveling trio offered to help build some additional stable

The wise men finally caved in and asked a wise old “Owl” for help.  “Alexa?” they said, “Where is Bethlehem?”  The owl hooted in response, but Gaspar, Balthasar, and Melchior could not understand what this curious creature was trying to tell them.  (They later learned that this mysterious animal was used

The darkness didn’t last long because a red glow began to wash over the wise men.  It was Santa’s red nosed reindeer!  Rudolph was surprised to see them.  “I would have thought you three would be in Bethlehem by now!” he said.  “Bethlehem?” asked Gaspar.  “Yes, where Jesus Christ will

The three wise men (and Donnie) still had no presents for the baby Jesus, and they were not even sure how far they had wandered.  They were lost, had no gifts to offer, and now all around them was darkness.  Luckily, Donnie had his trusty telescope.  “We can always go

The magi had to shin down the lampstand on which the Advent wreath rested, only to find a forest of another sort.  Balthasar recognized the red and green plants immediately and told his fellows the story of Pepita, a young peasant girl who was too poor to bring a gift

After about a half a day of traveling through an evergreen forest, the magi began to feel as though they were traveling in circles.  As it turned out they were – they had stumbled into the Advent Wreath at Centreville United Methodist Church!  They were a little fuzzy on the

Now that the path had been cleared of obstacles, our travelers were intent on moving speedily along to meet the great King.  But then they heard something.  It was the sound of children’s voices raised in song - joyous song.  Their old friends from the preschool rooms were having a

After rounding a bend in the road, the travelers encountered huge obstacles in their path:  countless (actually, 350 to be exact) boxes were blocking the way forward.  The men were beside themselves.  They had an important mission here, and the way needed to be cleared at once!  A gentle giant

The wise men were very worried about whether they would make it to see King Jesus, or whether they would miss him.  But then a man rode through who knew a thing or two about circuit riding.  He asked them, “Brothers, how is it with your soul?”  This John Wesley

After the three wise men cut through the gumdrop pass, they came across a barn raising of sorts.  Some children were making gingerbread houses.  The magi decided to stay and help the young children raise their barns.  “But we were catching up on time!” bemoaned Balthasar, who was quickly quieted

The magi found themselves traveling through a magical peppermint forest created by the Children’s Ministry team and some children during a Christmas Candyland party.  This lifted the spirits of the group a little - they had begun to feel anxious about not making good travel time on this journey.  (Gaspar

The next morning upon waking Gaspar saw an angel and he rushed to wake Balthasar.  “Brother, brother -there is an angel outside our camp.  Surely, he will give us a message as to where to find King Jesus.  Come, come with me.” said Gaspar.  As the two men rushed to