Anticipation

His heart races. The palms of his hands sweat. His pupils dilate. For years he has studied the prophecies of old. His professors introduced him to the writings of Moses, Samuel, Daniel, and Hosea. He remembers the exams and the oral defence of his dissertation in Messianic prophecy. Now miles of sand, pock marked with the footprints of three men and two camels lie behind him. He has studied, but this is different. Could it be that in his lifetime the prophecies have been fulfilled? What are the chances? As a scholar he had dreamed of this day. Yet he now seemed so unprepared for it. Reaching into his pocket he could feel the gift gently bumping against his leg with each stride. He hoped the sappy substance it was made from did not begin to turn gooey in the desert heat. It wasn’t everyday a person was able to give a gift of Myrrh to God after all, and the last thing he wanted was to have it spoil.
As daylight fades and night edges toward him and his colleagues, faint lights became more visible in the sky. Straining ahead, he finally sees “the one”. The star they had been following for days. Evening always brought a sigh of relief as he found assurance that he had not wandered off route, since the star was his guide. For others, the star was merely one of many, a spot of light in a sky splattered with them. For this wise man it was life. It reminded him of his hope. With age comes the darkening of the mind, the slowing of the body, till one day all goes black. But in the blackness there is a beacon of light that guides one to God. The metaphor sent shivers down his spine despite the evening heat.
As evening faded to night, the light of the star grew brighter and closer. They were almost there, almost under it. Ahead, sprawled out was a little town of huts and inns. Near the edge, was a small shelter, its roof lit up by the star. This must be the place he thought! This must be the place he had anticipated for so long. But could it really be? A child sent to save the world?

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
Matthew 2:10-11

Tell me won’t you, have you too met this child?