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Show December 15, 1965 X THE PARSON Page 3 Christmas Story TTh by Henry Van Dyke &lh)F Revised In the days when Augustus Ceasar ruled in Rome, and Herod reigned in Jerusalem, there lived in the city of Ectabatana, in Persia, a man called Artaban. Artaban was a rich man and around his home spread a fair garden filled with flowers and fruit trees, and watered by mountain streams. One late September night he held council with his friends. He stood by the doorway to greet his guests, dressed in a robe of pure white wool over a tunic of silk, and a white pointed cap. It was the dress of the ancient priesthood of Zoroaster, the Magi. There were nine of them, Parthian nobles, worshipping and chanting the hymns to Ahura-Mazd- a. When the song was ended, the friends gathered around the couch with Artaban. Artaban read to them, from two small rolls of fine parchment that he drew from his tunic, of the prophecy of Balaam, the son of Beor: There shall come a star out of Jacob, and a sceptor shall arise out of Israel. One of the men spoke contemptuously, The Jews have long been captives of many people and the sons of Jacob were slaves to our kings. There are so few unscattered that from the remnant left in Judea no star nor sceptor shall arise. Artaban read Daniels words from the second scroll, Know, therefore, and understand that from the going forth of the commandment to restore Jerusalem, unto the Anointed One, the Prince, the time shall be seven and threescore and two weeks. Artaban went on, It has been shown to us through our computations from the ancient Chaldean tablets that the time is this year. In the spring two of the greatest planets drew together in the sign of the fish, the house of the Hebrews. The new star appeared and vanished after one night. This night the conjunction occurs again. Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar and I will be watching. If the star shines again, we will meet and travel to Jerusalem to see and worship the promised King of Israel. I have bought these jewels to carry to the King. The others were mistrustful and unwilling to make the journey. Before the dawn broke, Saturn and Jupiter had merged, and a star had appeared. The other wise man, Artaban, mounted his swift horse, Vasda, and rode to join his three companions, whom he must meet within ten days. He rode furiously until he was but three hours away from the Temple of the Seven Spheres, the appointed meeting place. A grove of date palms made an island of gloom in the pale yellow fields. As she passed into the shadow, Vasda slakened her pace, and began to pick her way more carefully. At last she gave a quick breath of anxiety and dismay, and stood stock-stil- l, quivering in every mus cle, before a dark object in the shadow of the last palm tree. Artaban dismounted. The dim starlight revealed the form of a man lying across the road. His dress and face showed that he was probably one of the Hebrews who still dwelt in great numbers around the city. The chill of death was in the lean hand, and, as Artaban released it, the arm fell back inertly upon the motionless breast. He turned away. But as he turned a long, faint, ghostly sigh came from the mans lips. The bony fingers gripped the hem of the Magians robe and held him fast. Artaban stopped resentfully. If he lingered but for an hour he could hardly reach Borsippa at the appointed time. His companions would think he had given up moon the journey. They would go without him. He would lose his quest. But if he went on now, the man would surely die. If Artaban stayed, life might be restored. He turned back to the sick man. Loosening the grasp of his hand, he carried him to a little mount at the foot of the palm tree. Hour after hour he labored as only a skillful healer of disease can do. At last the mans strength returned; he sat up and looked about him. Who art thou? he asked, and why hast thou sought me here to bring back my life? I am Artaban the Magian, of the city of Ecbatana, and I am going to Jerusalem in search of one who is to be born King of the Jews, a great Prince and Deliverer (See P. 4) |