Value in resolutions
The Wise Men came late on this occasion. They always do. We are always
wiser after the event. As the Christmas story goes, the three travellers
arrived after the child was born and entered with their gifts. Someone
suggested they brought their gifts as an act of appeasement for lateness.
No doubt they were glad to arrive and bring their long and arduous
journey to an end.
I’ve known that feeling: travelling for holidays interstate with
four testy children in a hot, packed car. In the end, it hardly mattered
where you were going – the only interest was in arriving, and in bringing
the uncomfortable journey to an end. Those were days before upgraded
highways, overtaking lanes, effective air conditioning, and cheap
flights. They were days when children could be bribed with a packet
of chewies or a chocolate frog to keep quiet for an hour or so.
Although the Wise Men arrived late, they came prepared. The story
goes that, after paying homage: “They offered their gifts: gold, frankincense,
and myrrh.”
Most times I run late, my arrival is accompanied by panic, apologies
and chaos. Usually not the kind of gifts or attitude required to get
things off to a good start. I wonder if hindsight was of benefit for
the original Wise Men.
I wonder if they left that place wishing they had their time over
again. As the story goes, I have no doubt they left Bethlehem a good
deal wiser than they were when they arrived. We read how they gave
their manipulators the slip, and returned by an alternative route.
Now, I have to admit to the occasional periods of lateness and tardiness
in my life. I guess I haven’t always emerged from the experiences
with increased wisdom, either. A late arrival can be a declaration
the latecomer would rather not be present at all, but is unable to
make the statement in another way. The gifts we bring can also be
a significant statement on our parts. Many of our actions can be statements
of our thinking and feelings.
Perhaps, on this occasion, the Wise Men simply came late because
they had become lost. The story tells us a star seemed to guide them
to their destination. It is noticeable that we mostly arrive at where
we want to get in life. We strike gold. We put the required effort
into the things we value and wish to achieve. Perhaps this is what
inspired the Magi to present gold as one of their valued gifts.
I don’t seem to have much success with New Year resolutions. But,
if we could become modern, wise people, perhaps then would be a suitable
time for us to reflect upon what we want to achieve in 2004. Arriving
at the year’s end without valuing ourselves and others, or achieving,
is akin to arriving too late, or sheer foolishness. There are times
when we ought to give gifts to ourselves. The gold of a wise choice
is indeed a valuable gift. We might even enter the New Year by a different
route this time.
Just a minute. The doorbell just rang. Gus and Floss, my plumber
mate and his wife, have just arrived. We had invited them down for
Christmas Day. Gus is now apologizing for being late, and we are exchanging
Christmas presents.
This year, I resolve to be early.
