In “The Modern Magi: a Christmas Fable” by celebrated author Carol Lynn Pearson, we meet Annabelle Perkins, a woman of slightly advanced years who has one dream: to visit the Holy Land. In her possession is a small bronze lamb that has been passed down to her by her mother, along with the idea that someday, that lamb would be taken to Bethlehem and left there as a gift for the baby Jesus. Annabelle is not in good health anymore; her heart could give out at any time, and she knows that if she is to make that trip to Bethlehem, she should do it soon. She talks to the travel agent, makes a down payment, and begins to save her money. It takes her nearly everything she has, but as the date for the Christmas trip approaches, she is finally ready. Now she can give the gift to Jesus.
She is a waitress in a diner, and one afternoon some of her regular customers come in, looking downcast. Their daughter, their pride and joy, must drop out of school because she can’t afford it any more. Startlingly clear, Annabelle hears a voice in her head. “You can give me the gift now.”
Annabelle struggles for hours, but she knows she is supposed to give the money for the trip to this young lady so she can finish school. It pains Annabelle to do it, but when she envisions the look on the girl’s face, it’s all worth it. She decides to go on her trip the following year instead, and begins to save her money all over again.
The time draws nigh for the next trip, and yet again Annabelle hears the voice. “You can give me the gift now.” With a sigh, she uses the money to help someone else in need, wondering if she will ever be able to go to the Holy Land.
Another year goes by, and again another sacrifice. But then, a miracle occurs – someone pays Annabelle’s way and the trip is given to her. She can’t imagine why someone would do that for her, but then the voice lovingly speaks to her and tells her that He inspires other people to do good too.
A beautiful surprise ending concludes this book which reminds us that like the Wise Men of old, we are modern magi, in search of Christ, and that the way to truly find Him is to serve others as we see the needs around us. What a lovely reminder at this special time of year.
(This book was published in 1994 by St. Martin’s Press.)
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