Immanuel

Long ago there were three very wise men who studied the stars. In the course of their studies, they became aware of the advent of a star that hailed the birth of a great king. So the rulers prepared for a long journey. They traveled many days and nights until they came to the place where the king-child was. They presented the child with gifts, and his mother with the questions that had been heavy on their hearts...


“CASPAR:
Alas! The more we know, the less we understand life. Doubts make us afraid to act, and much learning drys the heart. And the riddle that torments the world is this: Shall Wisdom and Love live together at last, when the promised Kingdom comes?


MELCHIOR:
We are rulers, and we see that what men need most is good government, with freedom and order. But order puts fetters on freedom, and freedom rebels against order, so that love and power are always at war together. And the riddle that torments the word is this: Shall Power and Love dwell together at last, when the promised Kingdom comes?


BALTHAZAR:
I speak for a sorrowful people—for the ignorant and the poor. We rise up to labor and lie down to sleep and night is only a pause between one burden and another. Fear is our daily companion—the fear of want, the fear of war, the fear of cruel death and of still more cruel life. But all this we could bear if we knew that we did not suffer in vain; that God was beside us in the miseries of His own world. For the riddle that torments the world is this: Shall Sorrow and Love be reconciled at last when the promised Kingdom comes?


MARY:
These are very difficult questions—but with me, you see, it is like this. When the Angel's message came to me, the Lord put a song into my heart. I suddenly saw that wealth and cleverness are nothing to God—no one is too unimportant to be His friend. That was the thought that came to me because of the thing that happened to me. I am quiet humbly born, yet the Power of God came upon me; very foolish and unlearned, yet the Word of God was spoken to me; and I was in deep distress when my Baby was born and filled my life with love. So I know very well that Wisdom, and Power and Sorrow can live together with Love; and for me, the Child in my arms is the answer to all the riddles.”--The Man Born to be King, Dorothy Sayers


The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.


For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his named shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.


Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end...