(Originally appeared in the December 1976 edition of Daily Word®)

What's the magic of Christmas, I wanted to know—
From whence comes this wonder and clear inner glow?
The joy in my heart rushing in with a flow,
Yet pulsing like music so sweet and so low?
Where does it come from, what power as its source?
The quest for answers compelled my course—
The search and the journey took me afar.
Was I a wise man following a star?
What star? That brilliance I saw, could it be the same?
Those forms coming toward me—did I know their names?
“Oh, Wise Men of old, please help me, I pray,
Answer my questions—what words can you say?
What did you gain on your travels so far?
Was it worth it to gamble your lives on a star?”

They answered so sweetly and smiled so serenely
Deep in my heart their words were etched keenly:
“Can you follow such a star without great reward?
With no hesitation and in one glad accord
We offered our gifts on bended knee,
Surrendering self to the Babe we could see.
We arose uplifted, with gifts returned
Beyond expectation—our hearts how they burned
With love, with peace, with joy, with fire.
Our lives consecrated—our only desire
To share more fully these wondrous new gifts.
We tell one and all and see how hearts lift.
We know it was worth it—our reward has been true.
Blessed Christmas to all and especially to you.”

The Wise Men then left me and I was alone,
Till off in the distance a new radiance shone,
And there in the light of its beams so bright
A small boy was standing alone in the night.
Out on the hillside outlines were seen
Of sheep and of men asleep with a dream.
The young shepherd saw me and greeted me thus:
“Have you come to ask me what others discuss?
Yes, I saw the light and heard angels sing.
I followed a star and a bird on the wing
And was led to a stable and there saw the Child
Held in His mother's arms so tender and mild.
I felt I must touch Him and hold onto His hand,
So tiny, so warm—my heart to command.
Somehow I know that as I live my life long
He'll be holding my hand and guiding me on.
I'll love Him forever and pray that I may
Let love flow through me as it did on that day.”

There was one more encounter in my search for the truth
About the magic of Christmas that does restore youth.
An elderly shepherd came into my view,
Bent, frail, with clear eyes challenging anew.
He sensed my questions before they were asked—
Said, “No, I never saw Him—had to keep at my task.
The little lad helping tend sheep on that night
Was so eager to go I said, ‘Follow that light.
I'll stay here watching flocks under the sky.
You are young and eager and need dreams to live by.'
But you know, one thing is so queer?
I have always felt that He was here.
A peace and a blessing have followed me since;
I've needed no further sign to convince
Me that on the beautiful night when men saw the Star,
Heard angels sing hosannahs all from afar,
A great new dimension came into the world,
A gift of peace, joy and love forever unfurled.
There are many ways to find truth, but once it is known,
Once the grateful heart offered, we are never alone.
The magic remains and always will.
There's no way to explain it, just let it fulfill
God's great gift to mankind—the gift of the Christ;
In Him we are nurtured and guided aright.”

My quest has ended about where it began.
I still have many questions and don't understand.
But like the Wise Men, I have gifts I must share.
Like the boy, hold the hand of someone who cares.
Like the old man, have faith that love knows no bounds,
So Merry Christmas to all—to all the world round!
 

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