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Some parental instructions are pretty obvious. “Don’t talk to strangers!” It’s a common sense warning. Our kids have picked up on that one pretty quick. Then there are those variations on the obvious instructions that may not occur to you unless circumstances dictate. The stranger isn’t talking to your child, their trying to give them food. That’s right, food. So you repeat the obvious instructions, and add the new variation. ”And of all things, don’t EVER take CANDY from a stranger!” It would be funny if it didn’t really happen. A few days ago we were leaving church, and a friendly man my daughter did not know came up to her and offered a candy cane. Like all 3 year olds who have been taught well, she hesitated to take the candy. She shied away from the harmless gentlemen and looked at us with that “I don’t know this dude but I sure would like that candy cane. Is it OK?” look. We nodded permission, and she happily received the gift. Some principles of parenting transcend time, place, and culture. I bet ”Don’t talk to strangers!” is one of them.
I want to call your attention to what I imagine was a profound moment in the life of baby Jesus and his parents, Mary and Joseph.
Church tradition, and a careful reading of the scriptures lead us to believe that The Magi, or the wise men were not present at the manger that night when the shepherds arrived to see the newly born Jesus. Most scholars and church historians believe Jesus may have been as old as 2 when the Magi arrived with their extravagant gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. We tend to refer to “3″ wise men because 3 gifts are specifically mentioned in scripture. The Eastern Orthodox church tradition is that there were twelve distinguished foreigners. These were also not simply “wise” men, or philosophers. They were royalty. They were kings from the east, most likely Babylon, or modern-day Iraq. Kings don’t travel alone. They were most likely a part of a large caravan, and the gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh, were more than likely not given in small quantities either. After all, they traveled to Bethlehem following a singularly spectacular astronomical event, which they believed was a sign that the King of the Jews had been born.
Using your scripture enhanced imagination, envision this moment unfolding. The toddler Jesus is at home, playing outside in the warm sun. His mother Mary, not far away keeps a watchful eye over her precious son. Perhaps Joseph is away at work building something to provide for his family’s needs. Or perhaps he is there, sitting in the grass, talking with Mary and enjoying the sound of his son’s laughter. In either case, it becomes impossible to ignore the sounds of the large caravan drawing near to their residence. It becomes clear that the distinguished looking foreigners are not passing by, they have come to Joseph and Mary’s home. Their faces filled with wonder, the visitors move toward the small family bearing precious gifts which are intended as offerings to a King.
This is where the universal principle of ”Don’t talk to strangers!” may have kicked in. And this is the moment I want to point you to. The child Jesus may have shied away from the strangers with extravagant gifts, bowing down before him. Perhaps the entire caravan dismounted and knelt to the ground as their masters paid homage to the child. Mary and Joseph knew who their son was. They knew He was more than just the King of the Jews. They remembered the angel’s pronouncements that this was God’s Son. Mary adds another moment to her heart’s treasury which she would ponder over the years.
And so as the din of the caravan grows reverently silent, and the dignitaries have extended their beautiful gifts, the child Jesus looks to his parents for guidance and permission as to what to do. In awe, Mary and Joseph nod their blessing. ”Go ahead Jesus, you deserve these gifts and their worship. Go ahead baby. You deserve all this and more.” In the still, a smile plays across the face of the little boy. A smile plays across the face of God.
