The Three Men had done this trip a number of times before, always to a different location but always seeking that exceptional person who could save humanity from itself.
Their most well-known such trip was the one to Judea where they found that Hebrew lad who had so much promise, but he didn’t perform as expected due to a problem with authority that cut short his career. There had been some others, but they had not got as close to success for various reasons. History recorded their terminated careers.
This trip held a bit of promise in the air, it being the first to the southern Pacific Islands. The men were also known as Three Magi and it was their abilities as Magi that saw them slowly ride their camels onto the sands of the land they had reached. Before too long though they felt the rock hard surface beneath the camel’s feet and knew that their steeds could not travel much further on such a surface. Fortunately, the light of the star they followed shone at that moment on three mechanical steeds lined up together, as if waiting for them.
The steeds were adorned with travel bags which were able to bear their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The travel bags also gave them a riding jacket adorned with an emblem featuring mighty wings and the word “Magi”. They were, no doubt, gifts left to confirm that the steeds were for them. Once loaded, the Magi studied their new steeds and quickly worked out how to bring them to life and control their movements. And so they set off following the bright star that beckoned them. Stopping for refreshments, one of the Magi started exploring the buttons on the saddle of his steed. He was delighted to find a map that clearly showed ahead the small village of Bethlehem just outside the centre of Judea. “At least some things do not change” he thought.
Their trip was largely uneventful, although they were delayed by some uniformed men at some stage who demanded they remove their riding jackets and referred to them as a “gang”. The Magi were disturbed by this. They were a “Travelling Entourage” they explained, but to no avail. So to avoid distraction from their purpose, they let the ruffians have their jackets and carried on with their journey. As midnight approached, the Three Magi could see the star they had followed take shape. It was different from that which they were used to, showing bright fingers of light pointing down towards the Inn they searched for – three fingers, one for each Magi. The men stopped their steeds and dismounted at the end of the Inn. They could make out the stable they were after by the sight of the lowly steed tethered outside. It was much smaller than those they had been given to ride – it appeared to be named “Vespa”.
Gathering their gifts and arranging their robes, the Three Magi pushed the door open and entered the room. The holy scene that greeted them was similar to that they had seen before, but yet slightly different. The swarthy man standing to one side smiled and walked forward to them “Gidday, I’m Joe, you guys over for a bee?” he asked, offering them bottles of refreshment. The Three Magi bowed, straightened up, and one replied, “No my son, we are here to honour the new Prince of God.” They all let their gaze fall on the new baby lying in its mother’s arms.
“Prince of God!” the Mother screeched. She was dressed in a robe and was munching potato chips. “They/them haven’t decided whether they want to be a Prince or Princess yet, so you are a bit premature!”
“But surely this has been decided by the Lord. The son of God must be a son,” proclaimed the Magi. “Not until they/them decide,” responded the young Mother. The Magi looked at each other in confusion with one saying, “If the son is not in fact a son, we cannot leave the gold and other gifts,” and started towards the door.
They were met by Joe who blocked their way excitedly, yelling, “Gold! Gold! I’m sure me and Mary can sort this out real quick, can’t we Mare?”
“Of course” yelled Mary, quickly whipping up the baby’s nightshirt.
The Magi nodded at each other enthusiastically. “What do we call the young Prince?” they asked. Mary responded, “We thought Chloe sounded nice”.
