Three Kings Under the Star E-Book

Mira Lindorm

• Herausgeber: Smiling Wyvern Press
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Deutsch

Seitenzahl: 42

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

Unexpected Bethlehem: Four Christmas Stories What if the Christmas story unfolded in different times and places? This collection of four interconnected tales reimagines the nativity through fresh eyes and unexpected voices. In ancient Judea, a Roman businessman witnesses political intrigue and quiet horror in Herod's court. Far from home, three wise men struggle with doubt and exhaustion as they follow a fading star across desolate landscapes. A modern journalist encounters mysterious travelers who speak of world-changing events. And on a cold Christmas Eve, a homeless community beneath a bridge becomes the unlikely setting for new life and unexpected grace. From marble halls to cardboard shelters, from ancient stargazers to contemporary outcasts, these stories explore timeless themes of hope, hospitality, and the sacred appearing in the most unlikely places. Each tale stands alone, yet together they ask: Where do we find the divine today? And who are the real kings among us? A thought-provoking collection that honors Christmas tradition while offering a fresh way to see a familiar story.

Leseprobe

Three Kings Under the Star

Four Christmas Stories

Anthology

Editor Charlotte Erpenbeck

All characters are fictional, and any resemblance to actual persons, 

living or dead, is purely coincidental.

 © 2025  All rights reserved 

[email protected]

Smiling Wyvern Press Charlotte Erpenbeck

Neustadtstr.7, D-49740 Haselünne

Editor Charlotte Erpenbeck

Coverdesign: Elena Münscher

All pictures by vimasi/depositphotos.com

ISBN 978-3-95959-466-0

Preface

This little Christmas anthology brings together four stories about the three wise men—though here's the thing: they're never actually called kings in the New Testament, and their names? Pure invention by later generations. They don't even show up in Luke's Gospel, the one most people know best. It's only Matthew who mentions them, and he simply calls them "wise men from the East." Matthew is also the one who tells us about Herod and the three gifts.

But we all love the story anyway, don't we? True or not, it's become part of how we celebrate Christmas. So I've gathered these four very different takes on it for you to enjoy.t.

Merry Christmas, and may the star always shine brightly for you!

 Charlotte Erpenbeck

Interview with Three Kings

Mira Lindorm

My newspaper sent me out to interview these three well-traveled gentlemen. They don't exactly look like kings, though. Pretty disheveled, actually. But after months of travel on camels, I suppose that's only to be expected.

If I had to guess where these gentlemen came from, I'd say somewhere around the Black Sea region or a neighboring area. The oldest of them, Melchior, looks somehow grandfatherly with his long, white flowing beard. The youngest, Caspar, seems almost like a kid in comparison—no beard, soft features in a friendly face. The other calls himself Balthasar. If I met him alone somewhere at night, I think I'd feel pretty uncomfortable. Piercing black eyes above an equally black, curly beard, and he wears his knit cap pulled low over his face.

But my editor expects an interview. I pull out pen and notepad. I'd prefer a recording device, but these gentlemen are staying in an area that has neither electric lights nor simple oil lanterns right now.

"Are you really kings?" I blurt out.

All three laugh, Melchior the loudest. His white beard bounces like a lamb's tail. "Child, who told you that?"

I shrug. "That's what people around here are saying."

He becomes serious again. "We are not kings. Only star-gazers."

Ah, yes, the star. That damn thing that's been causing unrest and arguments among scientists for so long now. "And that's why you followed a star?"

"Well, naturally not just for the sake of it," Caspar jumps in. He smiles as he says it, and I literally feel that smile like a ray of sunshine. "The star we followed will lead us to a king."

So there is a king in this story after all?

"Which one?"

"The King of the whole world."

I snort with amusement. "That's not going to make Herod happy."

Caspar looks surprised. "Why not? He received us very graciously and offered us hospitality! He even promised us his help!"

"I knew there was something off about that guy," Balthasar grumbles, and his hand moves to the curved dagger at his belt.

Uh-oh! Better change the subject quickly! "Where are you guys from anyway?"

This time Caspar answers first. "I come from Persia. My respected colleague"—at these words he bows toward old Melchior—"comes from southern Judea."

My gaze wanders somewhat uncertainly to the black-bearded man.

"I come from Syria," he explains curtly and dismissively. "Nosy woman. Are all women in this country so nosy?"

"I'm here as a reporter," I defend myself. "I'm just doing what I was asked to do." I quickly turn back to Melchior. He seems the most trustworthy of the three to me. "How does it happen that three men from such different countries start a search together?"

He smiles again with that kindly grandfather smile. "We are united by science. And by what the stars tell us."

"And what do the stars tell you?"

Now it's Balthasar who answers: "The stars have told us that something great is coming, something important. That something new is beginning. Something that should benefit all people. The stars announce a new age. And the new star, the great one we have followed, it is a sign of this New. Just as this star was newly born in the sky and has a tail that reaches down toward earth, so here on earth a human child will be born whose roots are in heaven, and will usher in a new age. We have come to find this child and pay him homage." His voice has gotten louder and more joyful as he speaks, his face opens up, and suddenly he looks really likeable, not scary at all anymore. He even smiles, and I smile back.