Feroze’s story Matthew 2:9-12 Shaking my head in disbelief, I stared at this ragtag cluster of lean-tos, huts, and shanties that comprised this little town of Bethlehem.  Was it truly home to the King of the Jews? But as we hesitated, the light of the star grew in intensity, and it pulsed as if impatient for us to get moving. One look at my companions told me we were of one mind. We didn’t understand, but we were in the right place. No doubt about it. Ihsan had fallen to his knees in worship. “Ihsan,” I said. “Let’s go. You can worship at the feet of the King of Kings.”…

Ihsan’s story Matthew 2:1-8 I can’t tell you what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this. I, Ihsan, was one of the magi, renowned for our knowledge and wisdom. We’d been confident we would find the King of the Jews at the palace in Jerusalem. Isn’t that where the king should be? The Prophet Daniel established our caste hundreds of years ago to fulfill a sacred purpose. We’d seen the sign. “I see him, but not now. I look at him, but not near. A star shall appear from Jacob; a scepter shall rise from Israel.” When the star appeared, we gathered our ancestor Daniel’s own treasure and set out…

Tobiah’s story Luke 2:15-20 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased. Luke 2:14 I don’t remember how we got to the tower. I couldn’t think about anything but all those angels filling the night sky. “Eliezer, you saw them, too, right?” For the seventh or eighth time, my big brother said, “We all saw them.” He cut me off before I asked my next question. “I’m sure it wasn’t a dream. Hush, now.” Eliezer’s hand on my shoulder gave me the courage to peek into the stable. I don’t know why I was afraid. The angels told us to go…

Uncle Asa’s story Micah 4:8 My nephew’s upper lip disappeared under his lower one in a determined pout. What had gotten into him? Eliezer returned from Migdal Eder with a sullen Tobiah in tow just after sunset. Sighing with satisfaction or possibly relief, Eliezer plopped down next to me by the fire. He stretched out his long legs and leaned back on his elbows. But Tobiah slunk off to the shadows and sat with his cloak wrapped completely around him. He looked like a tent with the flap pulled shut. Keeping my tone light as I stirred the stew that simmered over the fire, I welcomed Eliezer back to our…