December 31
The bareness of the trees around them gave Gaspar an idea. He took an arboreal route, in the hopes that the elevated view would allow him to see their ultimate destination.
“The festival of Christmas offers a winter thaw, an opportunity to ponder new birth when the landscape around us, and perhaps within us, seems lifeless. The celebration of Christ’s birth beckons us to consider what has lain dormant in our own lives, and what new life lies waiting beneath the surface.” – Jan Richardson
Today’s micro-challenge: What is dormant in your life? What new life is waiting to burst forth?
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 41by Kim Wu on January 6, 2023 in Our Wandering Wise Men
“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 “Mighty
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 40by Kim Wu on January 5, 2023 in Our Wandering Wise Men
As they got closer to their final destination, Balthasar, Gaspar, and Melchior readied their gifts, which they had carried all this way to present to the newborn king. “In this and every season may we see them, the wise ones who come bearing your gifts to us. They cloak themselves
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 39by Kim Wu on January 4, 2023 in Our Wandering Wise Men
Despite confusion over the name of this platform (it is called a “pull-pit” but the men could find nothing to pull and did not see a pit of any kind), the wise men enjoyed the view from it immensely. And having heard some stirring messages from this pull-pit, they wanted
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 38by Kim Wu on January 3, 2023 in Our Wandering Wise Men
Knowing they would soon be seeing the newborn king, our travelers crowded around this copy of the ancient scriptures, in order to read once again all that has been foretold about him. “He was created of a mother whom He created. He was carried by hands that He formed. He
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 37by Kim Wu on January 2, 2023 in Our Wandering Wise Men
Our travelers noticed the star they had been following all this time was beginning to settle high in the sky. They sensed their journey may soon be coming to a close. “We stand on the threshold of a new season…. As we cross into the season beyond Epiphany, we are
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 36by Kim Wu on January 1, 2023 in Our Wandering Wise Men
Happy New Year! All Things New Yearning for a new way will not produce it. Only ending the old way can do that. You cannot hold onto the old, all the while declaring that you want something new. The old will defy the new; The old will deny the new;
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 35by Kim Wu on December 31, 2022 in Our Wandering Wise Men
The bareness of the trees around them gave Gaspar an idea. He took an arboreal route, in the hopes that the elevated view would allow him to see their ultimate destination. “The festival of Christmas offers a winter thaw, an opportunity to ponder new birth when the landscape around us,
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 34
Food was gathered and packaged for the marginalized and vulnerable that live here – the immigrant, the refugee, the poor. The wise men were humbled and encouraged by their efforts, knowing that the peace on earth all men hope for could not be achieved in the presence of hunger. “It
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 33by Kim Wu on December 29, 2022 in Our Wandering Wise Men
The gaze of our travelers was captivated by the highly unusual performance for the infants in this foreign land: colorful creatures dancing in circles over the little ones’ heads. Was this some kind of ritual blessing native to this foreign land? “(Christmas is) the great inversion: God coming to Earth
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 32by Kim Wu on December 28, 2022 in Our Wandering Wise Men
Believing they had taken a wrong turn somewhere, the wise men consulted Google Maps. “I think…we come into the world with a scrap, a shred of some cosmic map in our grasp. It’s lined onto the palms of our hands that emerged with us, fisted, from our mother’s ocean. There
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 31by Kim Wu on December 27, 2022 in Our Wandering Wise Men
Our Wandering Wise Men Day 31 The smell of the homemade stew drew both man and camel to the kitchen, where the delicious meal was being prepared and packaged to be delivered to those experiencing homelessness in the community through a program called "Hot Meals." “When the song of the
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 30by Kim Wu on December 26, 2022 in Our Wandering Wise Men
Although a friendly fellow, this sheep, whose name was Zebby Dee, could provide no helpful information for navigating this leg of the journey. "God goes to those who have time to hear him—and so on this cloudless night he went to simple shepherds." Max Lucado Today’s micro-challenge: Make time to
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 29by Kim Wu on December 25, 2022 in Our Wandering Wise Men
O star of wonder, star of night Star with royal beauty bright Westward leading, still proceeding Guide us to thy perfect light “God is in the manger, wealth in poverty, light in darkness, succor in abandonment.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer Today’s micro-challenge: Merry Christmas! Rejoice in our Savior’s birth today. Let
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 28by Kim Wu on December 24, 2022 in Our Wandering Wise Men
Our travelers were happy to assist this gentleman, who was wearing the most unusual adornments, with preparing this space for a great celebration. “In the same manner in which we clean and prepare our homes in the anticipation of welcomed guests and family members this Christmas season, let us also
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 27by Kim Wu on December 23, 2022 in Our Wandering Wise Men
Melchior, who had a sweet tooth, couldn’t believe his good fortune at the discovery of the large cache of candy canes. “The Advent story we associate with the joy of Christmas actually begins with deep sorrow and longing [the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah]. But thankfully, in the kingdom of
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 26by Kim Wu on December 22, 2022 in Our Wandering Wise Men
On the longest night of the year, the light shines and the darkness does not overcome it. The minds of our travelers were also put at ease by the comforting presence of a fellow wise man, named John Wesley. “Through the Gospel this light is brought to us, not from
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 25by Kim Wu on December 21, 2022 in Our Wandering Wise Men
Teamwork was essential in moving these heavy food boxes, which were packed to be given to families in need of food assistance. “The power of the future lies not in the hands of those who believe in scarcity but of those who trust God's abundance.” – Walter Brueggemann Today’s
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 24by Kim Wu on December 20, 2022 in Our Wandering Wise Men
Our noble pilgrims found themselves on a hilly, up-and-down stretch of road. Balthasar regretted not bringing his motion sickness medication on the journey with him. “These days bathe us in images of abundance and happiness, but we pray for those who do not find in this time a season of
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 23by Kim Wu on December 19, 2022 in Our Wandering Wise Men
Inspired by the singing they heard from the choir, our trio decided to give it a try themselves. “What do we say when we express wonder beyond words, when we look intently? When we address someone or something that fills us with love and joy in its presence, and intense
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 22by Kim Wu on December 18, 2022 in Our Wandering Wise Men
The wise men were treated to a delightful concert when they happened upon this merry band of singers, practicing for an upcoming worship service. “The earth has grown old with its burden of care, but at Christmas it always is young, the heart of the jewel burns lustrous and fair,
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 21by Kim Wu on December 17, 2022 in Our Wandering Wise Men
Everywhere around them, as far as they could see, were gifts for children. Our travelers were told the toys were being given freely to families through a program called GRACE Ministries. Gaspar, Balthasar, and Melchoir, themselves gift bearers to honor the new King, felt an immediate kinship with the people
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 20by Kim Wu on December 16, 2022 in Our Wandering Wise Men
Frustrated by their slow progress on the journey, Gaspar tried to take matters into his own hands. Could this mysterious horseless chariot speed them along their way? Alas, the last remaining challenge – how to get this strange creature to listen to his commands – proved to be insurmountable. “For
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 19by Kim Wu on December 15, 2022 in Our Wandering Wise Men
The three wise men, who had been traveling for some time now - based on not much more than a hunch that the star they saw was a sign of something bigger – stopped abruptly. There before them was surely another sign: a crown and a star dangling from a
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 18by Kim Wu on December 14, 2022 in Our Wandering Wise Men
The wise men were excited to attend this worship service and hear the prophesy stories they knew so well. Melchior, who had the best penmanship, recorded their attendance. Hezekiah, as the chosen speaker for all three of the camels, insisted that their attendance should be included as well. “Under
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 17
Gaspar marveled at the wonders of this mysterious contraption. Balthasar was so far away, yet looked so close when gazing through this little window. “Wonder is the only adequate launching pad for exploring this fullness, this wholeness, of human life. Once a year, each Christmas, for a few days at
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 1by Kim Wu on November 27, 2022 in Our Wandering Wise Men
The star shone brightly against the dark night sky, and drew the attention of Gaspar, Balthasar, and Melchior – three wise men from the east. "The season of Advent means there is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before. It is not possible to
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 2by Kim Wu on November 28, 2022 in Our Wandering Wise Men
The men couldn’t contain their excitement, as this star was the sign they had been waiting for. They must go and worship the king of the Jews! Balthasar was well-prepared to celebrate this joyous occasion, and generously shared his party supplies with the others. "Joys are always on their way
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 3by Kim Wu on November 29, 2022 in Our Wandering Wise Men
Fresh from the bustle of the Black Friday sales, our wise men gathered their gifts to take to the infant king. Balthasar’s approach was more practical, with his purchase of diapers, while Melchior chose something fun for the baby. Gaspar began to wonder if his gift of frankincense was the
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 4by Kim Wu on November 30, 2022 in Our Wandering Wise Men
Knowing that the journey would be long, the wise men invited three camels to travel with them. Hezekiah, the leader of the pack, was honored to accompany the men on such important business, and offered to provide sustenance for the trip. “The magi challenge us to be serious about our
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 5by Kim Wu on December 1, 2022 in Our Wandering Wise Men
As each of the wise men had a different opinion on the way to get to their destination, they needed a little help getting started on their journey. "Christmas can only be found. Christmas cannot be bought. Christmas cannot be created. Christmas cannot be made by hand, lit up, set
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Our Wandering Wise Men – Day 6by Kim Wu on December 2, 2022 in Our Wandering Wise Men
The wise men were delighted to happen upon a great feast, especially one such as this. This was a feast given in celebration of fellow travelers from all over the globe, who just completed a semester of English as a Second Language classes. Surely this welcoming embrace of people from
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 7by Kim Wu on December 3, 2022 in Our Wandering Wise Men
Was this curious celestial being friend or foe? Out of an abundance of caution, the men took cover until they could ascertain the true nature of this vision in blue. Good fortune was with them when it was discovered to be a friendly Haitian angel – an ambassador for Helping
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Our Wandering Wise Men Day 8by Kim Wu on December 4, 2022 in Our Wandering Wise Men
Gaspar thought these strangely shaped containers might be hourglass drums. Balthasar, however, noticed the wafer-like item on one end and the red liquid in the other, and had a feeling that wasn’t their primary purpose. “You meet us in our hungering with manna not of our making, and in our
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