Member-only story
Based on Matthew 2 of Holy Writ
There came from the East wise men.
Balthazar, the youngest, in his 20s, came from the north of Africa. Dark skinned, like unto an Ethiopian, he bore myrrh.
Melchior, in his 40s, was from Arabia. He carried frankincense.
Caspar, in his 60s, came from Tarsus, on the west coast of Turkey. His gift was gold.
But where they were from, their ages, and even their different gifts, have been variously ascribed. And it may matter not a whit.
Their gifts were symbolic:
Gold, a valuable, signified kingship on earth.
Frankincense, an incense, signified deity.
Myrrh, an embalming oil, signified death.
But, after a long and arduous journey, when they reached the border, they were detained.
The man who stopped them demanded: “From whence comest thou?”
The wise ones told him the places from which they had started their travels.
“Where art the papers which allow ye to enter our country?”
The three set down their belongings and searched the bags carried by their camels. But they sought in vain. For lo, they had no such papers in their possession.
