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[December 23, 2006]

Guide us to thy perfect light: A group of Reedley children share their interpretations of the story of the Three Wise Men.

(Fresno Bee (CA) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Dec. 23--It is a story that has been retold again and again at Christmas -- the Three Wise Men, the camels, the star, the gifts, the hope.

From theologians to children, nearly everyone is familiar with the story of the Three Wise Men and their role in proclaiming the birth of Jesus, which is the reason for the season.

Every Christmas, the story renews itself in song, particularly with the lyrics of Christmas carols such as "We Three Kings of Orient Are." And the story gets new perspective through movies such as "The Nativity Story," which was released Dec. 1.

To get another explanation of the Christmas story, The Bee visited Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church on a recent Sunday and asked a combined classroom of kindergartners and first-grade students to tell their thoughts about the Three Wise Men and baby Jesus.

The Rev. Dennis Fast, pastor of Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church, sat in on the discussion. At times, Fast marveled over the kids' excitement to share what they knew.

"Children are very trusting, and they are exuberant," Fast says. "They just respond. It's pure joy. They take in the moment."

They have a lot to say:

First of all, kindergartner Andy Reimer says, the Three Wise Men weren't nobodies. "They were kings -- important people," he says."

They may have been VIPs, first-grader Ryan Jost agrees, but their traveling options were few. "They rode camels -- the only way to get there," Ryan says. After pausing, he adds one more mode of travel, saying, "Or by foot."

Some children aren't too sure about the clothing worn by Three Wise Men on their journey. For example, Ryan Friesen, a kindergartner, says the clothing "looked like dresses."

And first-grader Madison Barsoom says she is sure of one thing about the clothing. With all the traveling, she says, "It looked worn out -- ones that were dirty."

Some kids are familiar with GPS tracking systems in their parents' vehicles. But the Three Wise Men could find their way by following the brightest star, first-grader Anna Nipoldt says.

"It meant the savior was born and he was special."

The reason the Three Wise Men traveled bearing gifts is pretty simple, kindergartner Hannah Jones says: "It was his birthday."

One of the wise men took gold as a gift and another took myrrh, kindergartner Savannah Friesen says. But she isn't sure what myrrh is until Fast explains, "It is a kind of spice."

And the third gift? Perfume, Madison says rather than try to pronounce "frankincense."

Upon reaching Bethlehem and seeing the newborn Jesus resting in a manger, the Three Wise Men bowed to Jesus because he deserved it, kindergartner Derek Wood says: "He was God's son."

The kids took guesses about what the Three Wise Men were thinking as they spent time with baby Jesus.

First-grader Preston Cody says, "They were thinking: 'This is the ruler of the universe.' "

First-grader Anna Preston says she can imagine what Jesus might tell the Three Wise Men for proclaiming his birth.

"He would tell them, 'You were special.' "

The reporter can be reached at rorozco@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6304.

Copyright (c) 2006, The Fresno Bee, Calif.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.
For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

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