This year, I want to explore the story in light of the world of 2024 with its unique challenges and opportunities. Here we are nearly 130 years after Van Dyke wrote his book. What might this little book teach us about walking in the footsteps of Christ, as we follow the journey of Artaban, the ‘fourth’ wise man who never made it to Bethlehem.
Van Dyke says in his preface that the story came to him as a
“gift. It was sent to me; and it seemed as if I knew the Giver, though His name
was not spoken.” He goes on to note, “The year had been full of sickness and sorrow.
Every day brought trouble.” Perhaps you can relate to that scenario. Van Dyke
tells us, “all that I had to do was to follow Artaban, step by step, as the
tale went on, from the beginning to the end of the pilgrimage.”
That’s what I invite you to—a pilgrimage through the story
of this seeker, who thought he lost his way, but learned he really was always
on the right path.
The book opens with a poem inspired by Matthew 16:25-27.
Who seeks for heaven alone to save his soul,
May keep the path, but will not reach the goal;
While he who walks in love my wander far,
Yet God will bring him where the blessed are.
Artaban is a member of the Magi, living in Ecbatana, Persia.
This city was the capital of the Empire of the Medes (675-549 BCE) and later
Parthians (247 BCE-224 CE). Excavations at modern Hamadan, Iran have established
the location. The area, in the mountains 250 miles east of Babylon, has been
settled for millennia. The cooler mountain weather made it popular with the
rulers and elite of empires. It was located on the Silk Road from the Orient
meaning it was a prosperous place.
As a Magi, Artaban, was a priest of Zoroastrianism, a
religion practiced in the area for centuries. The core of their worship was a
single sacred being, Ahura Mazda. Good Thoughts, Good Words, and Good Deeds
were the tenets. Water and fire were both holy in the religion.
Artaban gathers nine Magi to discuss a strange sign he has
seen in the sky. He addresses them and his father, “Religion without a great
hope would be like an altar without a living fire…I have read other words…from
the fountain of Truth, and speak yet more clearly of the rising of the
Victorious One in his brightness.” He then reminds the group of the “Hebrew
Daniel…a prophet of sure things.” He goes on to say that with Caspar, Melchoir,
and Bathazar he has seen a new star briefly. They calculated and determined
that the “new star in the sign of the Fish, which is the house of the Hebrews”
predicts the “promised one who shall be born King of the Jews.”
Artaban says he has sold all and bought three jewels, “a
Sapphire, a ruby, and a pearl—to carry them as tribute to the King.” He invites
his fellow Magi to join the quest, but they each have an excuse and dismiss his
vision. (Echoes of Luke 14:18f) His father tells him, “It is better to follow even the shadow of the
best than to remain content with the worst.”
Undeterred Artaban goes to his watch post and sees “an azure
spark born out of the darkness…tiny and infinitely remote, yet perfect in every
part, it pulsated…’It is the sign. The King is coming, and I will go to meet
him.’”
We are entering the Season of Epiphany when we hear of Jesus
and his ministry. The lessons this week are from Genesis 1 when God creates
light, and the Gospel of Mark where we hear of Jesus baptism and the words, You
are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.
Artaban was seeking, as the Gospel of John says, the true
light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
This week, I am going to ponder the words of Artaban’s
father, that it “is better to follow even the shadow of the best than to remain
content with the worst.”
Where in my life am I content with less than the best?
What is the shadow of a dream in my heart of the best?
Where can I meet the true light?
