The Impossible Dream - Man of La Mancha
Matthew 2:1-12
For our last look into the Christmas Story, we are going to look at the Magi. Let me start with are the wisemen at my nativity scene historically accurate? No. Does it change their role in the story or meaning? No.
What we do know is that they were from the East (most likely Persia - modern day Iraq) and they studied the stars. They were highly respected members of their society and wealthy. When they saw the star they knew something extraordinary had occurred and the prophecies had been fulfilled. They went a journey to find the baby that was born.
11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
So for these wise, wealthy and respected men, their first reaction was to bow down and worship a baby. Then to present him with gifts. Gifts of great value. Afterwards they listened to the angel in their dream and did not return to Bethlehem.
The first song that comes to mind for the wisemen is The Impossible Dream from Man of LaMancha.
This is my quest,
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless,
No matter how far.
To fight for the right
Without question or pause.
The beautiful thing about the Man of LaMancha is that it is a play within a play. Not only did they get to rewrite the ending of the play they acted out, we get to write our own ending of the story of the main character as his future is not told.
This is also perfect as the last of the study of the ordinary people in the extraordinary Christmas story. We are all on a quest, a journey. We have choices to make along the way - whether to follow God’s calling or take another route. God commanded us to follow him and to love one another along the way. The common theme among all of the Christmas characters is that they followed God. We can do the same and see the extraordinary things that can happen. The last verse of The Impossible Dream reminds me of the one whom the season is for - Christ himself.
And the world will be better for this,
That one man scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage.
To fight the unbeatable foe.
To reach the unreachable star.
Let’s remember that Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas. Think about what you have learned from the Christmas characters and the changes we can make to be God’s light to the world.
Reflection Notes:
This Christmas how can you show generosity as the Wise men did?
How can God use us as he used the ordinary people in the Christmas story?
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