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What stirred them to action, those wise men?
What tugged them away from work and home?
What compelled them to find the One this strange star signified?

We do not know.  We know only that they left.

Where did they travel, those wise men?
What dangers and disasters did they face?
Had they come that way before?

We do not know.  We know only that they arrived.

What brought them to Herod's palace, those wise men?
Had they asked at many houses?
Were they weary and discouraged?

We do not know.  We know only that they searched.

What did they know of the baby, those wise men?
Were they sure that he was God?
Were their lives forever changed?

We do not know.  We know only that they found.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Matthew 2:1-2

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