What if 3 Wise Men were Women?
What would have happened if it had been three Wise Women instead of three Wise Men?
They would have asked directions,
arrived on time,
helped deliver the baby,
cleaned the stable,
made a casserole,
and brought practical gifts.
But what they would have said when they left...?
"Did you see the sandals Mary was wearing with that gown?"
"That baby doesn't look anything like Joseph!"
"Virgin, my arse! I knew her in school!"
"Can you believe that they let all of those disgusting animals in the house?"
"I heard that Joseph isn't even working right now!"
"And that donkey that they are riding has seen better days too!"
"Want to bet on how long it will take until you get your casserole dish back?"
They would have asked directions,
arrived on time,
helped deliver the baby,
cleaned the stable,
made a casserole,
and brought practical gifts.
But what they would have said when they left...?
"Did you see the sandals Mary was wearing with that gown?"
"That baby doesn't look anything like Joseph!"
"Virgin, my arse! I knew her in school!"
"Can you believe that they let all of those disgusting animals in the house?"
"I heard that Joseph isn't even working right now!"
"And that donkey that they are riding has seen better days too!"
"Want to bet on how long it will take until you get your casserole dish back?"
Source unknown...variations many.
Well tradition goes that there were 3 wise men. Actually, they are not really sure how many magi but there were 3 presents, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Wikipedia and many others debate and consider the purposes and symbolism of the 3 gifts. I pondered the purpose and symbolism of giving gifts at all. Ideally, parents would meet the wants and needs of a child anytime, not wait for one day out of the year. Unfortunately, not all children are in an ideal home environment and the tradition in many homes is long established. I wasn't a perfect gift giver. Sometimes I really missed the mark giving a present. I am working on a theory. If I were to give three gifts, what would I want to give? I think I would give one thing practical, one thing that makes them stretch or grow, and one thing just for fun. I like balance. I would also include receipts for anything I buy and I would give it with no strings attached. Yea, I think I am starting to really think about what I choose to do for gift giving. One more requirement, must be fun for me too. :)
1 comment:
Hello Ruth
I love today’s post, that was so funny about the three wise women. I am going to share it with my family when we are all gathered at Christmas. I’d like to tell you a condensed version of a story by a school inspector called Gervase Phinn
A vicar was speaking to some infants at Christmas time. He said 'this is a very special time of year, can anyone tell me what it is?'
'It’s Christmas' volunteered a small boy.
'It is indeed' agreed the vicar and the children started to tell him what presents they were going to get.
'Christmas is not just about presents you know. It’s really a celebration of a birthday. It’s about the birth of a very special baby.'
'I know what it were called' Said a small wiry boy.
The vicar stroked his chin and smiled. 'I’m very glad to hear it' he said.
‘It were called Wayne’ the child told him.
‘Wayne? Certainly not! What a thought’ cried the vicar in mock horror?
‘It were’ cried the boy, undeterred. ‘The babby were called Wayne’
‘No it wasn’t called Wayne’ said the vicar his jaw tightening and his voice quavering a little. He bit his lip momentarily.
‘The baby was called Jesus’ the vicar told him, slowly and deliberately.
‘It were Wayne’ persisted the child.
‘Jesus’ snapped the vicar.
‘Wayne repeated the child ‘I know,’ cos we all sang about it: ‘A Wayne in a manger, no crib for a bed’
XX Molly
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