José Geraldo de Sousa
There’s a beautiful story written by Joannes Joergensen titled The Fourth Wise Men, in the book "The most beautiful Christmas stories"1. In this story he tells that Jesus didn’t smile upon receiving the offerings of the Magi (Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar) which were gold, frankincense and myrrh.
He imagines a fourth Wise Man that arrived late and empty-handed, who was originally from Persia. When he told why he arrived empty-handed, Jesus turned to him, opened his little hands to him and smiled.
In his report he said that he brought him precious treasure from his beloved country, with him: three white pearls; each the size of a pigeon's egg, taken from the Sea of Persia.
However, the first pearl was offered to the owner of an inn, so he sought a doctor for an old man who was shaking with fever. This man was thin and poor; he looked very similar to his own father... He would surely be shooed away on the next day, if he didn’t die there until then. He wanted the owner of the inn to care for this man and give him a decent burial, if this was the case.
On the next day, he heard screams coming from the woods once he was travelling on the road. He saw that soldiers were about to rape a young woman. He bought her freedom with the second Pearl. She kissed the hands of the king and fled to the mountains quickly. He had one pearl left at least, he thought. He would give it to the small King, born in the West.
He then moved on and approached a small town in flames. There were Herod’s soldiers, who were following his orders to kill all children aged two years old and under. One of them was holding a little boy by one leg, which was struggling and screaming. He threatened to throw him into the fire. His mother cried desperately.
He rescued the child with the third pearl and returned him to his mother. She hugged him in her arms and ran away, without even thanking him, such was her anguish.
This is why he came empty handed... and asked for forgiveness.
This king came empty-handed, but his heart was full of love.
The compassion that moved him in these three circumstances was the best gift he offered to baby Jesus. His conduct showed that he was in harmony with the future teachings of Jesus, in his Gospel.
He had the healthy habit of goodness, in all actions.
Spiritism, the Comforter promised by Jesus, has as primary objective to restore primitive Christianity on Earth. We have "a different conqueror", according to the words of Brother X2: "Jesus never (...) humiliated or hurt (…) he didn’t feel angry when he was ridiculed or mistreated (...)".
What have we been offering to our Divine Friend?
What have been doing in our lives?
Do we make him smile or cry?
Are our hands empty because we are getting rid of selfishness and becoming more fraternal, compassionate, charitable materially and morally? Or because nothing makes us feel moved?
Do we have a new view of Christmas now, or do we remain in the old illusions of waste, killing animals, drinking and focusing on exterior happiness?
Do we share with others our inner joy, the goods and the talents?
Is Christ present in our Christmas?
Jesus came to earth, in the words of Isaiah (61 :!) "(...) To preach good news to the poor. (...) To proclaim liberty to the captives and recover the sight of the blind, to free the oppressed (...)"3.
We are captives of ignorance and its effects; of vices and convenience.
Jesus summed up the law in love for God and our neighbours. By ignoring the law we remain slaves of our karmic obligations. We have suffered bad reactions from our bad actions. To get out of this vicious circle of painful reincarnations, it’s necessary to follow the recipe that was brought to us by the Master.
Our spiritual progress is a process. It’s not limited to one practice or one generous action. It should not be restricted to material charity on the weekends or to weekly attendance at any periodic cult. Let’s get conscious that true charity can happen at all times and places; but not limited to certain occasions to become effective and transformative.
Christmas is a reason to rejoice, of course. Jesus came to set us free. But our freedom depends on us following the teachings contained in the Gospel. The heavenly messenger makes it clear when talking to the shepherds on the night of his birth: "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)
Christmas and New Year are opportune moments to reflect, to balance the use of the time that passed and the idealization of new projects for the following year.
What we have done with our talents and our lives?
How would our accountability be like?
"(...) The day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night (...)". (Paul 1 Thessalonians, 5-2)
Have we strived to become worthy of such blessings?
We’ll be happy if our actions bring joy to our Divine Friend.
How about we include in all future Christmas and New Year celebrations a space for the lessons that He brought us two thousand years ago?
To design and to do, for "(...) faith without work is dead." (James 2: 20).
References:
1 "The most beautiful Christmas stories," Ed Voices, Page 47, 1993.
2 "Mediumship Anthology of Christmas" by Various Authors, Chapter 3, 3rd ed. FEB - 1990.
3 "Holy Bible", Translation João Ferreira de Almeida, Bible Soc in Brazil, 1969.
Source: Reformador Magazine, FEB Publishing, December 1996.