ANGELS Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar came across a window sill angel that was presiding over some tender roots upstairs in the CUMC.  They thought of the end of Conrad’s story: SCRIPTURE Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. (Hebrew 13:2) FOOLISH WISDOM

SHOES As they listened to Conrad’s story, the wise men thought back to their angel tree gifts, and to another seeker of Christ who used to leave presents for children in their shoes.  Santa Clause had even stolen his name in a poem or two.  They thought about not only

CONRAD THE WIDOWER Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar came across a widower who had given a poinsettia in honor of his wife.  His name was Conrad and he told them a story that has taught the meaning of Christmas for almost 100 years.  And how it began with a dream he

SHEPHERDS Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar on their way into Bethlehem passed by a flock of sheep, but they could see no shepherds.  It seemed like each of the sheep had gone astray, but the shepherds were night shift shepherds, sleeping during the day to watch the flock by night. SCRIPTURE

LAMB After the baby shower, the three wise men came upon a sheep who had gotten away from its flock.  It was Zebedee, who belonged to the CUMC Children’s ministry.  The lamb told the wise men a story about one time that he got separated from a flock. SCRIPTURE What

A PENNY OPERA The last game they played at the baby shower was to “Guess the diameter of the mother.”  They each had to cut a piece of yarn that they felt would be closest  to Mary’s diameter.  The camels won this one -maybe because they understood how much space

BABY SHOWER Next thing they knew, the three wise men were swept up in a baby shower for a poor young woman from Nazareth.  They played “Guess the baby photo!” with the staff of CUMC (Can you guess whose baby photo is whose?) and Melchior won!  Balthazar had his “water

MARY The three wise men noticed that one of the candles on the Advent wreath was pink.  The candle told them, “I have many names.  The Gaudette Candle, which means “Joy.”  I am also called the Shepherd’s candle or the Mary candle.  And the candle told the story of a

CANTATA  The wise men and their camels couldn’t wait for Cantata Sunday at CUMC, they loved the musical ministry so much.  They “sang lustily with good courage” as John Wesley suggested in the hymnal.  But their organ playing left something to be desired. SCRIPTURE And let the peace of God

PEACEABLE KINGDOM Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar came across an old van that had been abandoned in the mud and decided to give their camels a rest from carrying them to Bethlehem and following the star.  Besides, they were cold from giving up their hair.  They found peace in their hearts