The "Other Wise Man" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just finished reading for the second time a small book I bought over a year ago at Shupp's Grove, a large outdoor flea and antique market between Lancaster and Reading, Pennsylvania.  The book that I found on one of the many outdoor tables is titled "The Story of the OTHER WISE MAN" written by Henry Van Dyke.  Inside the 4"x7" cover of the book was a hand-written note that read: To Dorothy From Aunt Mary. Christmas 1944.  Seeing this note which featured my birth date, I knew I had to pay the $2.00 for the book.  The book carried a copyright date of 1895 by Harper and Brothers.  Little did I know how profound the story of Artaban the Majian, who was said to be friends with the other Magi, Caspar, Melchoir and Balthazar, would be as I read it.  I know the story was a figment of the imagination of Mr. Van Dyke, but it almost felt as if the story could have been true.  As I read the 75 page book for the second time, I made a few notes to share with you so you can see the story of the OTHER WISE MAN as written by Henry Van Dyke.  

• Chapter 1: The Sign in the Sky - Artaban the Medium lived in the city of Ecbatana among the mountains of Persia.  Artaban told his friends that "it has been shown to him and his three companions among the Magi that they saw two of the greatest stars in the sky draw near together in the sign of the Fish.  They also saw a new star there which shone for one night and then vanished.  His companions were presently in Babylonia and if the star was revealed once again they would wait ten days for him at the Temple of the Seven Spheres before they set out to Jerusalem to see and worship the promised one.  When the star was seen, Artaban sold his house and belongings and purchased 3 jewels - a sapphire, a ruby and a pearl - to carry to the new King.
• Chapter 2: By The Waters of Babylon - Artaban rode Vasda, the swiftest of his horses, toward Babylon to meet the other Magi.  Many days passed until finally he knew he had about a three hour journey left.  The horse approached a dark figure in the shadow of a palm tree.  Artaban dismounted and found an old man, nearing death.  He told the old man of his journey then gave him water and a potion for health.  The old man thanked him with the message that he should search for the Messiah in Bethlehem rather than Jerusalem.  When Artaban arrived at the Temple he found a note from under a pile of bricks from his friends telling him to follow them across the desert.  He knew he had not only the strength, but the supplies needed for the trip across the desert so he sold the sapphire and bought provisions for the crossing.
• Chapter 3: For the Sake of a Little Child - He followed the remarks of the old man and headed toward Bethlehem.  He had arrived three days after the other Maji who offered gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  The Maji had moved on, but he was drawn to the voice of a woman tending her child.  She told of the three Maji from the East who were headed to Egypt.  The woman's child touched him as he ate some food the woman had given him.  A noise in the streets showed Herod's soldiers were near and searching for children so as to kill them.  They stopped at the door of the woman and Artaban answered the door.  He knew what was to happen so he offered the soldier his second jewel, the ruby, in return for his leaving, and the troops left.  
• Chapter 4: In the Hidden Way of Sorrow - Artaban searched and searched for his King.  One told him: Remember, the King whom you are seeking is not to be found in a palace nor among the rich and powerful.  He spent many years on his search while feeding the hungry and helping the poor.  
• Chapter 5: A Pearl of Great Price - Three and thirty years of the life of Artaban's search had passed and he was still a pilgrim and a seeker.  His hair was now white and his eyes dull as he came once again into Jerusalem.  Today the sky was veiled with a portentous gloom and an excitement in the crowd.  He followed the crowd outside the city to a place known as Golgatha.  Two robbers and another known as Jesus of Nazareth were to be executed.  A young woman broke free of her tormentors who were selling her as a slave to pay for her father's debts.  She grabbed the leg of Artaban, telling him of her plight and he reached into his bag, taking the Pearl and placing it in her hand so she could pay for her release.  Just then the earth shook and the darkness thickened.  A roof tile fell onto Artaban and knocked him to the ground.  The young woman bent down when a voice broke through the twilight.  Artaban answered: Thirty three years I have searched, but never seen your face.  The voice returned saying: Verily I say unto thee, inasmuch as thou hast done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, thou hast done it unto me.  The face of Artaban brightened and one final breath of relief exhaled from his lips.  His journey was ended.  The OTHER WISEMAN had found his King.

Truth or Fiction?  Certainly an interesting story which has no historical truth to it.  But, as I sing "We Three Kings" during our Christmas service I will be thinking of Artaban the Majian and his quest after seeing the star in the sky on Christmas Eve.  Much like the star high above our altar.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.