Today is the first day of our Wandering Wise Men devotion series, which runs from December 1 - 25.  Gaspar, Balthasar, and Melchior are about to embark on a journey in search of the King whose star they see in the night sky.  Each day in our devotion series will give the reader a peek into the adventurous lives of our bumbling trio, as they encounter obstacles and hopefully learn a thing or two.

Patience
Once upon an Advent, three men who were very wise in their own eyes, thought if they just opened all the doors of a calendar and ate all the chocolate, they could bypass all the winter and the waiting and the wilderness, the darkness and the watching.  They forgot that standing in the garden yelling at seeds won’t make them grow any faster, that watched pots never boil, and that making the trip to the manger happens sone day at time.

Scripture

Be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
(James 5:7-8)

Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things, sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
(Matthew 6:34)

Foolish Wisdom
“Chocolate with 75 percent cacao is not actually food.  Its best use is as a bait in snake traps or to balance the legs of wobbly chairs.  It was never meant to be considered an edible.” (Anne Lamott)

Prayer
Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.  We who have so much to do, and yet seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day, we who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.  Amen. (Henri Nowen)