January 6th

“In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,” Matthew 2:1

what if
they weren't wise

but just typical guys

who were too stubborn

to ask directions.

what if

they weren't from the East

but others who came to be

registered and heard rumors

about an unusual family.

what if

the gold was costume jewelry

the frankincense a smelly puppy

the myrrh an ointment for diaper rash.

what if

we felt we had to prettify

this story about a makeshift crib,

a soon-to-be-refugee family,

and a baby whose resemblance

to any sort of messiah raised eyebrows.

(c) 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman