The Story of the Other Wise Man

A beautiful story, yet hard to start. It begins so unfamiliar and overwhelming detail. By the middle of this short little book, it begins to few extremely familiar and the mind races to biblical narratives so very familiar. And one realizes that this is our story. We are all seeking. We all bear limited gifts that we must choose to surrender at unlikely times. Each one of us must make the decision at the beginning of the book. Start the journey or stay home? Just remember: seek and you will find.

This is one of the best Christmas gift a parent can give his or her child, betwen the ages of 6 and 60. The original adult version is also excellent

This is a very nice retelling (NOTE THAT IT IS NOT VAN DYKE"S ORIGINAL STORY) of the classic story by Van Dyke. The illustrations are rich and beautiful and the retelling makes the story much shorter and understandable for younger children though the wording is not condescending so is still appropriate for older children, too. It makes it a great bedtime story.

--I first read this book when I was fifty years old and instantly became forty years younger. The book not only tells the story of Christmas, it tells the story of a wise man who found how Christ and the Spirit of God had never left him. --The story begins long ago, with four wise and gifted astrologers as they set out to find the Prince of Heaven and Earth. They realize this is the most important journey they will ever take, but one of them, named Artaban, leaves a little late and then stops to comfort a helpless, dying old man. By the time he can set out to find his companions, he has spent too much time with his errand of charity, and he must begin his search all over again. He does not regret his decision, but his youth passes and he becomes a dignified and just old man without ever seeing the Christ. Artaban then takes several more detours on his life's quest because of the kindness of his heart and mind. By the time he reaches the end of his life.... --Artaban is lovingly touched by the Christ in a way that seems far better than if he had been with his companions on that night in Bethlehem. --A story for kids from one to ninety-two. If you are thinking about this story for you or for a child in your life, do it.

Well, except for the original, of course. I treasure the 1901 copy I have of this, as it brings to life the real meanings of Christmas to me more than any other fictional portrayal I have come across. van Dyke writes with clarity and succinctness, communicating the wisdom he claims to receive from the Spirit in the manner of timeless myth. It is well known that there were not three wisemen, but an indeterminate number. This story plays with that theme, and brings up something much better, much deeper, than the imagery in the creches we so often see. The story of Christmas doesn't truly end until Easter, if there. For it's not about a sweet feeling, or feeling comfortable- it's about undying love, about service, about feeling positively uncomfortable. The point is not to give the gifts of precious stones as if Jesus were a king, but to give the gift of life as if Jesus were the King.

My Grandmother passed this book on to me in her will. It seemed like a strange thing to leave me but it has touched my life. Whenever things are going wrong or when I need a spiritual reawakening, I pick up this book. I have read it at least 50 times and it has never gotten dull or boring. I recomend it to everyone!