Wise Men and adoption

So the wise men saw a star in the east and knew it would lead them to a king - of course they probably weren't thinking a baby but never the less. The thing is that they were looking, looking and perhaps longing for something more - something that would give thier lives greater meaning, something to sacrifice for.



They journeyed far - probably farther than they ever imagined. With great sacrifice and hardship along the way - leaving the familiar comfortable life in thier home country and traveling for what may have been years. (by camel no less - by the way camels stink)



Then they were surprised at the manger - overwhelmed I am sure by the rustic simplicity of it - by the baby/small child they encountered - by the God that they encountered.



We start an adoption journey seeing that star in the distance.



The journey takes us farther than we imagine - out of our comfort zone, through valleys we never knew existed, testing and refining us every step of the way.



Then we are surprised at the manger - with a love for our children that is built by going the distance required to get them. And we find that we would sacrifice anything - gold, frankensence and myrrh to have them home - they are more precious than the physical or emotional cost of the journey.



That journey to the manger shaped the wisemen and it shapes adoptive families as well. May we all journey with grace and wisdom moving foward to the manger.