01- Mike the Magi (Michael McWilliams)

Hi…I’m Mike the Magi. We are experts in the mysteries of life, know much about astrology, and are revered scholars.

My fellow Wise Men (wise guys more like it) picked me to be the spokesman. I drew the short straw. Don’t get me wrong I have nothing against you. It’s just I’m a little nervous, because what we saw today was totally awesome.

You see we’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. For years we’ve been searching the skies, remembering the words of some Jews who lived among us in Babylon and Persia about 500 years ago.

They kept telling us of this unbelievable future king. He would be more than a king, a Messiah if you will. He has been predicted for years to come. They shared with us God’s Word saying that one of the signs of His arrival would be a star.  I believe the prophecy from Scripture went something like: “A star shall come out of Jacob and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.” (Numbers 24:17 ESV)

So when we saw His star in the East we knew the time had come. We knew it was no ordinary, naturally occurring comet, supernova, or conjunction of planets. This star was supernatural. It had a God-given purpose.

So we hopped on our camels and headed to Jerusalem to find the specific location of this King. The star guided us. Our arrival created quite a stir. Our news caused an uproar. I don’t know why. Weren’t they looking for this King, too? Weren’t they expecting Emmanuel to arrive?

We ran into this King Herod. Told him what we saw. Paranoid chap. Didn’t know God’s Word very well. Had to consult some experts on what this was all about. Seemed very nice, but a bit deceptive. Nevertheless he treated us to a fantastic dinner and we told him we’d tell him where this King was located when we found Him.

I didn’t put all together until after we saw this Jesus and worshipped him. An angel told us to hi-tail it out of town in a different direction and not to go back to “King Paranoid.”

In any event…this Christ king didn’t look like a king. No castle, no servants, no royal officials. He had peasant parents living in a relative’s house. Not what we expected.

Nevertheless, we worshipped the King, this Messiah, this God becoming man, this Jesus. There was so much joy that filled our hearts.

We offered Him and His family gifts of great value. But I have a feeling this King will offer us things that are more valuable. He will give us priceless gifts.

Do we know who He is? Yes, He is the King for all the people of the Earth.

02- King Herod (Joe Kelley)

(Spoken like in the movie, The Godfather) Do you know who I am?

I’m King Herod…the head honcho, the top cheese. Nobody’s going to wrestling his way into my kingdom. I’ll take him out. I’ve done it before to others and I will do again if I need to.

I mean I’ve worked hard building my kingdom and oppressing people. I’ve financed lot of structures for the Roman Empire. I even built them pagan temples. I need them to stay out of my way so I can run the show. I’m even working on renovating the temple here in Jerusalem. I’m a good person.

And all was going well until these so called “Wise Men” showed up with their ancient prophecies and star-gazing malarkey. Who’s going to name a star after me?

Anyway I had to call in my theological experts. I don’t have time to learn about God’s Word.

But I have a plan…I acted nicely to these Magi. Told them I was “interested” in meeting this King. They’re going to get back to me where He is. And then I think this Christ child is going to have a “sudden accident.” Yeah, that’s it. “Sudden accident.”

Anyway, I’ve worked hard to get where I am, and nobody, including some “Messiah” predicted long time ago, is gonna beat me. This Messiah, this King, is going to have to bow down and worship me. I’ll take out this Christ child, you’ll see.

03 – Samantha, the Scribe (Samantha Francis)

I’m Samantha the Scribe. Actually, I’m a wife of a Scribe. Don’t tell King Herod that I was here. He’d kill me, literally.

The other day he summoned the Chief Priests and Scribes to his chamber and told them to do some research on the Messiah and where He was to be born. These Magi had caused a quite a stir, claiming they saw His star in the East.

So they gave Herod his answer.

But then I began to do some more research into Scripture. I know that King Herod doesn’t want people competing for his throne, but I don’t think He’s going be able to stop this Messiah. You can’t stop God from doing what He wants to do. No amount of human intelligence, power, or determination can change that.

The way I read Scripture…this is going to be a king unlike any we’ve had in Israel. I’m not sure what kind of king he will be. Prophecy seemed riddled with contradictions. Then again, I’m only human and don’t understand everything about the Lord.

This king will be powerful, but humble. He will rule, yet will be a Suffering Servant as the prophet Isaiah describes Him. He will defeat the enemy and yet do it in a very unconventional way.

Kings rule political, earthly kingdoms. I have a feeling this guy might be different. It sounds like He will act like a shepherd for us sheep, not like a tyrant or dictator.

Anyway, I can’t wait to see how this all plays out, because things need to change in our lives. The way we’re living now is not working. I hope this king can bring peace, joy, and love to our lives. We need it!!!

04 – Mary, the Mother of Jesus (Monica Schipul)

Joseph and I got some strange visitors at the house today. They said they were kings from another land. They’d been traveling for a while, and followed the star. They wanted to see Jesus.

Well it’s not everyday we get visitors like these, so we welcomed them in. They presented our little boy with these very expensive gifts, which I have a feeling will come in handy in supporting our family.

But the strangest thing was they worshipped our baby, Jesus. They saw Him as God. I’m still wrestling with the idea that I gave birth to the Son of God as a virgin, and that the father is the Holy Spirit. I’m not quite sure how all the pieces of Jesus’ life and our lives are going to fit together.

I see darkness and light in our future. I see joy and pain. But in the end, I know my little child will grow up to bring up the humble and bring down the mighty. He will show mercy to those who trust and revere Him. He will be strong and yet gentle.

I’m just not sure how that will play out in our lives. I’m sure I will have more questions to ponder, and more doubts about things. 

But I know His love will magnify my soul, because I trust in the Lord.

05- The Worshipper “You” (Nancy Zappolo)

Good morning. Do you know how I am?

I am “you” this morning listening to this story. I am your conscience.

And like you I am wondering how do I fit into the historic Epiphany story? What do Wise Men, Scribes, a paranoid King, and the mother of our Lord and Savior have to do with my life today?

Well as I sat here listening to each of these people, I saw a little bit of myself in each of the characters.

At times in my life I have the awe and respect that the Magi had in worshipping Christ. Yet there is always something wonderfully mysterious about our Lord. I’m glad I don’t believe in a god that I have to have all the answers and know everything about. If I did I might think I am over God and instead of Him lovingly ruling over me. I am looking forward to meeting my King face-to-face someday.

But I have to admit many times I act like King Herod. No, I don’t wish to kill Jesus, but I know my sins put Him on the cross. Because of me, He had to suffer and be put to death. I know I’d like to think I am a good person, but my good works are nothing compared to my sins and sinfulness. I, like King Herod, think I am the king of my life…that I can do what I want, and nothing is going to get in my way. And this is the cause of a lot my problems, including not taking the time to know my Savior better through looking into His Word. 

I know a lot of things need to change in my life so I can be a better child of God. That’s why I’m glad I am a part of this faith community with people to help me through these challenging parts of life. I need more hope, peace, joy and love in my life, and Jesus is the only One to truly provide it. 

Yet I know that no matter how good I act I can’t ever earn the priceless gift of Heaven. All the gold, frankincense, and myrrh will not earn me forgiveness of my sins. But His body and blood given to me in Holy Communion by faith does, because Jesus’ righteousness earned salvation for me. 

And I know, like Mary, my life will see its ups and down; its victories and defeats; its good days and bad. But at least I know the Lord Jesus Christ rising from the grave lifts me up to see Him and Heaven a little bit more each day. His star of faith He gave me at my baptism is still guiding my life.

God knows who I am. And yet despite that loves me as His child.