A Book Review… The Three Wise Men Revisited
By PEGGY MOEN
The Wise Men Who Found Christmas, by Raymond Arroyo; hardcover, $17.95; 48 pages. Published in 2022 by Sophia Institute Press, Manchester, NH; order by calling 800-888-9344; email: orders@sophiainstitute.com.
In his latest book, The Wise Men Who Found Christmas, Raymond Arroyo, an author, journalist, news director and lead anchor of EWTN News, presents a historically sound and theologically solid account of the Three Wise Men, who have so often been misrepresented, and even ridiculed in silly songs and stupid jokes. The press release for the book explains that “they were not three kings. Nor were they from the Far East, or even Persia.”
The book opens with this line: “There are many tales of the Wise Men who followed the star to Bethlehem. But most are untrue.”
The three spotted and gazed at a star blazing in the sky.
“We should follow the light,” says the ailing Melchior, the eldest of the three, to Balthasar and Casper, thus introducing the theme of the book. “He is coming….We should follow the light.” Melchior had heard the Jewish prophecies of a Messiah to be born of a virgin.
Balthasar insists that they should inform their king, Aretas, if royalty is involved, and let him decide what they should do.
But, the book points out, Aretas has ties to the wicked King Herod. Unsurprisingly, Aretas tells the three to go to Herod and also to bring the new king gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
The star disappears from the sky.
When they arrive at Herod’s palace, Balthasar tell him, “Your Highness, we seek the newborn king of the Jews.”
Herod — foreshadowing several present-day politicians — says, “I am the King of the Jews. There is no other.”
Melchior replies that “we saw His star at its rising.”
Herod asked his priests and scribes where the Messiah would be born, and was informed that it would be in Bethlehem of Judea.
So, he then told the three to find the Child and then send him word so that he could worship Him.
The three became discouraged, but soon the star they had seen in the East rose before them. Melchior declared: “We will follow the light.”
Townsfolk in Bethlehem told them there was no king but Herod, perhaps foreshadowing the crowd who would say, “We have no king but Caesar.”
Then, a shepherd told the three that angels had appeared in the sky. A Savior was born. “The Child lives,” but it was months since the shepherd had seen Him.
The star again led them forward and then stopped above a small house — Casper danced.
“Follow the light,” murmured Melchior again.
Inside, they found a newborn Child in the cradle. His Mother welcomed them and said the Child had been awaiting their arrival. The Three Wise Men offered Him the gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Melchior held Him and told Him of the pain he had incurred on his journey there.
The Child healed him — offering a great contrast to the many today who see infants as threats to health and life.
They had planned to return to Herod the next morning, but as is well known, an angel appeared to them and told them to go home on new paths. Each went home on new and entirely different paths.
Melchior’s horse testifies at the end: “And the light the Wise Men found in Bethlehem, centuries ago, shines still for all who seek it.”
Following the story, Raymond Arroyo includes a scholarly commentary on the true background of the three kings, which is well worth reading in itself.
Diane Le Feyer’s extensive illustrations in the book do the story justice. Her incredible colors reminded me of the idea that Heaven has unknown and unimaginable colors for those who arrive there, as C.S. Lewis wrote. The colors in this book dramatize the stunning figures in it, and will lift the spirits of the readers.
This book is not only for children, but also for adults who love Christmas and for those who fear, or are experiencing, persecution by our present-day Herods. They need only remember: “We should follow the light.”
