Sunday, November 21, 2010

Review of The Story of the Other Wise Man

     Since its first publication in 1895, Henry van Dyke’s novella, The Story of the Other Wise Man, has been an annual Christmas favorite and has been reprinted in a new binding nearly every year. Often considered a story for children, but enjoyed by adults as well, this poignant tale follows the adventures of Artaban, “the fourth wise man”, as he searches for the One foretold by the star he has seen, and how in not finding—he finds.
    The book was well researched and as a result, is rich with the flavor of the Orient.  Older readers may enjoy the first part of the book the most, where Artaban explains the reasons for his quest, and find the ending a little clichéd though still well handled.  Younger readers may find the late nineteenth century writing style difficult to read, but with a little patience, they should be able to understand and appreciate it.
    Making a great holiday read-aloud, this thought provoking story reminds us that the real story of Christmas does not end with Jesus’ birth.  For those who still seek Him, that is only the beginning.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

All Roads Lead to Rome, but Only One to Heaven

 After the removal of an old Roman altar, and shortly before Christianity became the official religion of Rome, Quintas Symmachus wrote to the Senate, requesting the restoration of the Roman gods:

"We ask, then, for peace for the gods of our fathers and of our country. It is just that all worship should be considered as one. We look on the same stars, the sky is common, the same world surrounds us. What difference does it make by what pains each seeks the truth? We cannot attain to so great a secret by one road." (Sources of The Making of the West)


I'd guess that Symmachus had never tried hunting for buried treasure, without having the treasure map, otherwise he would have known how important it is to have the right road.  
But there is nothing new under the sun is there?  People still express that idea today, though rarely do they put it as beautifully as Symmachus did.