Alphabet Advent: W is for Wonderful

W is for Wonderful

and Wise Men

Most of what we believe about the wisemen ...

is wrong  ....   as people tend to listen to songs

and traditional stories rather than really 

THINK

about what the Bible says.

It is likely that they were from Persia -

the wise men descended from the groups 

set up by the Persian Empire and based on writings of 

Daniel that are not in our Bible.

It is most likely that there was a very large group ...

not just 3 men on camels.

But also

 armed guards - to protect and hunt, 

and servants to cook and clean, pack and unpack,

and care for the animals.

At the least,

the group probably was well over 30,

and closer to 50 - 100 people.

Herod was surely intimidated

and afraid of this group.

Bethlehem is a mere 4 miles from Jerusalem,

it would have taken the group less than an hour to reach 

the child, Jesus, after leaving the city gates.

They had to have seen Jesus AFTER he was 8 days old.

Because that is when Joseph and Mary took him to the temple,

and Anna and Simeon prayed over him,

he was circumcised,

and Mary offered her purification offering

for the birth of a firstborn male - 2 turtle doves or pigeons.

The poorest of the offerings

Herod likely waited less than 24 hours or no more than a week, 

before sending his soldiers 

down to nearby Bethlehem and slaughtering the babies...

he chose 2 years "according to the time he had inquired of the wise men".

While it is unlikely that they had traveled for 2 years,

it is likely that they had spent 6 - 9 months preparing for the trip,

and that the trip took 6 months or more,

since large groups do not often travel very fast.

What we do know?

The Bible says...

Jesus was in a house and a child.

He was older than 8 days old,

and younger than 2 years.

There is a wide difference in the sizes of babies,

and it is likely that babies older than 2 and many girls

were also killed.

I doubt the soldiers stopped and inquired of each mother.

For more information ...

http://www.khouse.org/topical_bible_study/christmas/

Books to Read

                              

Songs to Sing

Short Movie - Wise Men Still Seek Him

http://jocelynbethany.blogspot.com/2012/12/alphabet-advent-w-is-for.html

White Christmas
http://nostalgic-radio.com/2012/12/23/white-christmas--the-drifters.aspx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZO5r_5GmtQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2yzaJazaUQ

We Three Kings
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vI9S5Pecsco
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJxBlJFjOU4

Good King Wenceslas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfKtrJ1GvOU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11GlNvi7hPY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCrUy_CuMx8

The Gift of the Magi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf0gM-fSqqc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNZquUneyTE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rpDP0ciGj8 - Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chhBDjcnUko - Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbveS6avZC0 - Part 3

Activities to Do

http://www.hodgepodge.me/2011/12/reindeer-mix-a-k-a-white-christmas-snack/

http://www.hilaryshomedaycare.com/2/post/2012/11/watercolor-resist-painting.html

http://www.makeandtakes.com/holiday-abc-series-w-is-for-winter

http://andrewrachelashmore.blogspot.com/2011/11/construction-paper-wreath-tutorial.html

http://warmhotchocolate.com/2011/11/21/graffiti-gift-wrap/

http://pysselbolaget.se/2012/12/11/etiketter-i-tragift-tags-in-wood/

http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2010/12/shampoo-bottle-wise-men.html

http://www.naturallyeducational.com/2011/12/beaded-wreath-ornament/


http://www.theunlikelyhomeschool.com/2012/12/my-christmas-gift-to-you-hot-cup-of.html

Pages to Color


http://www.1001coloringpages.com/Christmas/Wisemen/three-wise-men-coloring-page-307.html


http://www.freefunchristmas.com/christmas-coloring-pages/three-wise-men-coloring-page/


http://www.christmascoloring.net/religious


http://www.1001coloringpages.com/Christmas/Wisemen/three-wise-men-coloring-page-308.html


http://godad.applesaucekids.com/Coloring/BillLaza/OldTestC/AdamEve.html


http://www.christmas-christmas.org/2009/01/wise-men-coloring-page/


http://www.benscoloringpages.com/coloringpages/threewisemen.php


http://raindrop.org/holidays/christ/c4.shtml


http://www.simplycindyblog.com/two-cute-christmas-crafts%E2%80%A6/


http://www.ehow.com/list_6049620_crown-crafts-kids.html


http://madebymolliesmom.blogspot.com/2011/07/more-christmas-in-july-three-wisemen.html


http://randomcreative.hubpages.com/hub/Button-Wreath-Craft-Holiday-Decorations


http://www.inspirebohemia.com/2010/12/holiday-wreaths-crafts-and-fabric.html


http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/crayon-wreath-159331