Pivot point

After Matthew 2:1-15

History pivoted

in their small town

in the hills, down

the road from one

capital and even

farther from another.

History pivoted here,

though, positioned

between the king

of death and the city

of refuge, with travelers

providing the catalyst

for the pivot to turn,

told to be good reporters

and tell the story, instead

becoming protectors,

moving another way,

refusing to tell the story

so that the story 

might not end but

be told.

Photograph by Buenas Dicas via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Advent: Three Gifts

We followed the star

knowing only it led

to the west

to what all the portents

pointed

the predictions fulfilled

to the west

to the west

I bring gold

the gift fit for a king

I bring frankincense

the gift fit for God

I bring myrrh

the gift fit to prepare

a body for the tomb

we follow the star

to the west

to the west

even wise men don’t

fully comprehend

It was the English scholar Bede (the “Venerable” Bede), writing in the 7^th century, who first pointed out the symbolism of the three gifts of the wise men.

Painting: Adoration of the Kings by Jan Goessaert (Jan Mabuse), 1510-15; National Gallery of Art, London.