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Via:      UK.AC.SOLENT; 11 JAN 93 14:25:08 GMT
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.christia
Date:         Mon, 11 Jan 1993 14:26:00 +0000
From:         CAROL L <Z_STAFF_CL@SOUTHAMPTON-INSTITUTE.AC.UK>
Subject:      Well what do you make of this ...?

Well, I have returned after a pleasant break followed by a not
so pleasant dose of 'flu.   As always, I am looking sideways at
by absent boss's life when he was last here whilst filling the
time until Revelations becomes real.  I thought some of you may
want to think about some of these musings of mine ......


The Riddle of Epiphany


As we have just passed Epiphany, I shall pose a small question for
you all.  Think about it.  Enjoy it.  A little idle thought may
be a wonderful way to relax.  You may find somethings out about
yourself and God.  I look forward to you thinking aloud !!!

Yes, I'd like some theological answers too, for those of you
upto such exercise so soon after Christmas. (There must be some
because I can't possibly be the first to think of this!)


Christ was born to poor parents - in Bethlehem, in a stable because
of the Roman census.

His father was and later continued to work as a carpenter in a poorish
community in Galille.

Logic and story accepted so far ?


Three wise men arrive leaving gifts - an enbalming resin, incense
and a token of kingship - Gold.

What happened to the gifts. Eh ?

Were they kept by Mary for later use ?

The enbalming resin didn't get a chance to be used - when they went
to prepare the body it had gone - what was the chance it would have
been taken to Jerusalem anyway !

The incense - similarly, perhaps.  Or used in the Temple by the family.

But the Gold!  What happened to the Gold ?

It was far more tangible in worldly terms.  As it was a gift from a
wise (and probably comparatively rich) man (or perhaps a king) to a
fortold and long expected king.  I assume it must have been a
reasonable amount - not a fiddling little baby's signet ring such as
is popular in Arab countries today.

I think that if what happened to the Gold shows any sign of changing
our assumptions about Jesus's family background and ministry there
may be implications in the way we preach the Gospel.  From that point
of view it may be an important question.

o       Did it get lost in the flight to Egypt ?
o       Was it used to pay for the passage to Egypt ?
o       Was it saved until he was 8 - to finance the trip to the
        Temple when he was found with the elders ?
o       Was it saved for a big party at 14 - when the boy became man?
o       Was it used so Jesus could spend his time studing scripture
        rather than getting a trade like a good Jewish boy ?
o       Was it saved until 30 and spent to finance the ministry of
        the next 3 years - like feeding 5000 ?
o       Did the gold run out at the last supper and Judas, seeing a
        good marketing opportunity and fund raiser ........
o       Did it finace the wedding at Cana ?
o       Was it given to the poor ?
o       Was it given to the temple ?
o       Was Joseph not so poor after all ?
o       Did it pass from Mary to, say, John and through him to the Church?
o       Was it used to pay for the damage to Peter's Mother-in-law's
        roof ?

Some of these are more fanciful than others - I am sure you can top some
of these easily.

Carol L


Carol A Long,  Southampton Institute of Higher Education, England
        email     :  Z_STAFF_CL@UK.AC.SOUTHAMPTON-INSTITUTE
DISCLAIMER - merely musings unless otherwise stated.
** Wishing one and all a happy, blessed, peaceful and joyful New Year **
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