The Daily Alaska empire., 1944-12-23
BY AGNES MYERS

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 There is wonder and mystery the great blue sky at J right. When uncouded moon spreads her radiant Heht like golden crown over the open sky myriad
 sars stud the heavens like jewels Some tiny stars & that peek cut of the azure bowl quverng with uncer- R ainty while others big and bright like sh1nner. f>g ing bubbles blown aoft This nurnberess family of sparkling messengers speak words to s but her tWn- King send forth many meanings The lone traveller ost the wilderness raises his eyes in appeal for direcon on far off the sailor steers his boat by the heaveny com rass earth ferVetly locks np, to where the planets and feels the peace and comfort of lod
 Many years the eastern countries of Persia Chaidea Ethiopia and India men G great wsdom tne stars stars pretng hidden truths Books of prophecy written on linen scrolls had been handed down them from therr fathers and grandfahers who prophets of old They believed that star would foree the birth of Saviour hlng ana Ruler for had not Balaam son ot Beor ana Prophee o a sceptre shall arise out of Israeli
 They were eaqued heart and hand searching the stars for the truths of the world and would often go to the roo DDS at night to mediate under the quiet reign ot m4onhgnt G me rc frnite and flowers Perfume of ripened grapes and
 spices scented the night air and almond trees rusted against white walls purple in shadow Cypress groves, dark and tall, gleamed in silvery lustre of clear skies
 One night three upon roofop Caspar was the oldest, -Ielchior middleaged and Balthszar younger man. They wore robes ot purest wnite covering of many colored silks and after offer ing their usual evening prayers to God had setuea t down on low couches to mediate pensye and disposed & for contemplation. The night drowsily quiet broken only by occasional stir of wild peacock on neighborng roof the dull sound of seahy camel hoofs in The few words spoken by the men were o simple brevity but their eyes moved from tune to tune across the vast sapphire sky Then they dozed Down dropped the curtain of silent night upon sleeping world
 Suddenly something made them spring to their feet herald breeze their cheeks had awakened them and they raised their eyes the heavens wonder and surprise star! tiny new of intense illumination slowly rising the horizons in the nghtbue western Sky Its great light like voice from the Almighty Caspar Mechor and Bathazar overwhelmed with lifted their arms in holy Gods messenger the celestial Jewel sky Deep silence and veneraon gripped the
 another their hearts burst forth with cries of joyous excitement "A King is born! is Balaams vision fuflled Let us hasten and follow the star. Caspar of the house reused the sleeping servants The favorte came quickly loaded with provisions for the journey Warm coaks, of purest white wool, were chambers carrying strange boxes ofgreat wcth In their ges they had placed pearls and rubes priceless value and they carried of precious gold in eweed caskets All readiness The cames unconscious J hedges the soft tnkle of their ornaments and faint twittering of half awakened birds mingled for a
 moment in the cool wind then all was quiet
 e'l So from the east unto the west, the Wise Men % journeyed three pilgrims following the little star that gleamed like cut gem, brilliant and burning. It seemed always before them leading the way Suddenly
 stopped and goriosy beamed down upon the little village of Bethlehem.
 There the Wise Men of the East found the Christ Child the promised Prince, with Mary His Mother. They paid her born child spreading their treasures of rare gifts his feet gold frankncense and myrrh The thoughts of their hearts expressed n the symbolic gifts Gold-the ttes gift for King costly and brilliant Incenseor God the Of which rolls up to heaven Myrrh-for a man, the symbol of purity.
 The Wise Men bowed their heads in the presence of the young child and with fervent prayers upon their p worshpped the New Born King.
 Thus, the first Christmas.