tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12283749.post-86215974319997700842008-01-05T13:27:00.000-05:002008-01-05T13:47:14.069-05:00<div align="center"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_ZRO6E3rbeek/R3_M00eCA6I/AAAAAAAAAH0/ZmF2ad40uFo/s1600-h/top.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152061706545005474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_ZRO6E3rbeek/R3_M00eCA6I/AAAAAAAAAH0/ZmF2ad40uFo/s320/top.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;"><em><strong>The Three Kings</strong></em></span></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="font-size:85%;">by Henry Wardsworth Longfellow</span> </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Three kings came riding from far away, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Melchior and Gaspar and Balthasar, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Three wise men out of the East were they, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">and they traveled by night and they slept by day, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">For their guide was a beautiful, wonderful star, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">The star was so beautiful, large and clear, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">That all the other stars of the sky, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">became a white mist in the atmosphere, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">And by this they knew that the coming was near, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Of the Prince foretold in the prophecy. </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Three caskets they bore on their saddle bows, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Three caskets of gold with golden keys, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Their robes were of crimson, silk with rose, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Of bells Pomegranates and frivolos, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Their turbans like blossoming almond trees, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">And so the three kings rode into the West, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Through the dusk of night, over hill and dell, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">And sometimes they nodded with beard on breast, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">And sometimes they talked as they paused to rest, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">With the people they met at some wayside well.</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"> "Of the child that is born," said Balthasar, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">"Good people I pray you tell us the news,, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">For we in the East have seen this star," </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">And have ridden fast and have ridden far, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">To find and worship the King Of The Jews."</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"> And the people answered, "You ask in vane, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">We know of no king but Herod The Great." </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">They thought the wise men were men insane, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">As they spurred their horses across the plane,</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"> Like riders in haste who can not wait.</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"> And when they came to Jerusalem, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Herod The Great who had heard this thing,</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"> Sent for the wise men and questioned them, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">And said, "Go down unto Bethlehem, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">and bring me tidings of this new king." </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">So they rode away and the star stood still, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">The only one in the gray of morn, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Yes it stopped, it stood still, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Of its own free will, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Right over Bethlehem on the hill. </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">The City Of David where Christ was born. </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">And the three kings rode through the gate and the guard, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Through the silent street till their horses turned,</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"> And nayed as they entered the great in-yard, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">But the windows were closed and the doors were barred, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">And only a light in a stable burned. </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">And cradled there in the scented hay,</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"> In the air made sweet by breath of kine, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">The little child in the manger lay, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">The child that would be King one day, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Of a kingdom not human but divine. </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">His mother, Mary of Nazareth, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Sat watching beside his place of rest, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Watching the even flow of his breath, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">For the joy of life and the terror of death, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Were mingled together in her breast. </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">They laid their offerings at his feet, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">The gold was their tribute to a king, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">The frankincense with its odor sweet, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Was for the priest, the Paracleet, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">The myrrh for the body's burring. </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">And the mother wondered and bowed her head, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">And sat as still as a statue of stone, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Her heart was troubled yet comforted, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Remembering what the angel had said, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Of an endless rain and of David's throne. </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Then the kings rode out of the city gate,</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"> With a clatter of hoofs and a proud array, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">And they went not back to Herod The Great</span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">For they knew his malice and feared his hate, </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">And returned to their homes by another way </span></em></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#6600cc;"> The Golden Carol Of The Three Kings </span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#6600cc;">Melchior, Balthazar And Gaspar</span></strong></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;">We saw the light shine out afar, </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;">On Christmas in the morning,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;">And straight we knew Christ's Star it was, </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;">Bright beaming in the morning,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;">Then did we fall on bended knee, </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;">on Christmas in the morning,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;">And praised the Lord, who'd let us see </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;">His glory at its dawning.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;">Oh! Every thought be of His name, </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;">On Christmas in the morning,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;">Who bore for us the grief and shame, </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;"> Affliction's sharpest scorning.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;">And may we die, when death shall come, </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;">On Christmas in the morning,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;">And see in Heav'n, our glorious home, </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;">The Star of Christmas morning. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#6600cc;"> </span></em></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Old English Carol</em></span> </span></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the East and have come to worship him.” — Matthew 2:1 </span></em></div><div align="center"><br /><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">We are familiar with the song that begins, "On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me a partridge in a pear tree." But did you ever wonder why they sang about 12 days of Christmas, when we only celebrate one? </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">It is because there is a tradition that there are 12 days between Christmas Day and Epiphany, which is considered to be the day on which the three Wise Men came to worship Jesus. It used to be the custom to celebrate the 12 days by giving a gift on each day, rather than placing all the gifts under the Christmas tree. </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">I imagine that today we are much too impatient for that.<br />But it would be wonderful to continue to celebrate Christ's unselfish love for others long after Christmas Day is over. We don't have to do that with actual gifts, but we can give even better gifts -- "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22). </span></em></div><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Wouldn't it be a magnificent world if all of us did that? </strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong></strong></span> </div><div align="center"><br /><span style="color:#990000;"><strong><em>Almighty Father, thank you for your gifts to us. Show us ways to pass these gifts on to others throughout all the days of the year. </em></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#990000;"><strong><em></em></strong></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#990000;"><strong><em>Amen</em></strong>.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#990000;"></span> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.ourprayer.org/"><em>http://www.ourprayer.org</em></a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>The mystery of this feast goes far deeper than the imagery of three kings following the star. It celebrates in mystical poetry the bursting of divine life through death-bound human existence. Three wise men from the East are led by the star over Bethlehem to recognize the King of Kings in a little baby. </strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong></strong></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong></strong></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong>An astounding mystery is proclaimed today: two natures are made anew. The Divine becomes human: what God was, God remains; what God was not, God takes on, suffering neither confusion nor division. Alleluia! </strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong></strong></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><strong></strong></span> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><em><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Go now in the light that surrounds us, the light of the Child of Bethlehem. Place your hope in him; rest in his peace; receive his love; celebrate him with joy! </span></strong></em></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;">Blessing from :</span> <a href="http://www.followingthestar.org/" target="_blank">www.followingthestar.org</a>. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">‘On Ya’ - ma</span><br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div>I'm mostly known as 'MA'http://www.blogger.com/profile/12107548726472541669noreply@blogger.com