By Thomas B. Hancher
Illustrated by Avey Dyer
Text Copyright © 2024
Thomas B. Hancher, author
Avey Dyer, illustrator
Ashley Mathis, editor
ISBN 978-1-7357033-6-7
Michelle Banse, publisher
Lori Olivarez-Ligues, production manager Trips Publications, LLC
406 W. Main Street, Ste. 105 Weimar, Texas 78962
979-725-3080 • tripspublications.com
Printed with Newman Printing Company Inc.
All rights reserved. First Edition 2024
This Christmas story is dedicated to my grandchildren: Tyler, Sage, Grayson, Callie, Brooks, Norah, and Alida. They have been a blessing in their Papa’s life! And to my wife, Christine, whom I lost in 2010.
I would recognize Deacon Andy Nunmaker for his encouragement and mentoring. Also, Avey Dyer, an artistic talent whose illustrations add so much to the story. And finally, Ashley Mathis, who met the technical and editing challenges with great skill. Thank you all for your good work in helping bring this story to life!
Since childhood, like most of you, I was enthralled by the biblical event of Christ’s birth as detailed by St. Mathew and St. Luke. The Wise Men bearing valuable gifts for the Baby Jesus are central to both accounts. One tends to overlook that shepherds also visited the Baby. It occurred to me that perhaps one of those shepherds also brought a gift for the Baby, hence this Christmas story, “The Fourth Wise Man.” I hope you enjoy it and that it adds to your celebration of Christ’s birth.
Thomas B. Hancher, MD
Over 2,000 years ago, in a village West of Bethlehem, lived an old shepherd, Joram. He was elderly for those days, almost 60 years old, and considered by all who lived in the village to be a true sage. Often consulted regarding dilemmas dealing with family, the Romans, or even sheep, the villagers relied on his advice. Joram enjoyed advising his friends and neighbors, or for that matter, even people he had never met who came to him for counsel. Now that he was older, had fewer sheep in his flock, and less able to climb the hills even with the aid of his staff, Joram had time for all who sought him out.
He had been widowed for years, losing his wife of thirty years, Naiomi, to a fever that failed to respond to all the potions and poultices that were tried. He and Naiomi were childless, their firstborn having died shortly after birth, and Naiomi never conceived again. She had lovingly made a beautiful newborn’s gown from soft Merino lamb’s wool, but their baby had never felt its warmth (and love). Joram still had the gown tucked away in a reed box. At times he took it out to hold it and remember his wife and baby.
The days were getting shorter and cooler, Joram’s joints reminding him that winter was approaching. He gathered the sheep earlier each day, the lambs often feeling frisky and challenged him to catch them if he could.
Late one afternoon, a particularly wild lamb disappeared over the next hill. Joram set off to bring her in quickly as wolves had been sighted near his village. Nightfall caught Joram still searching for the lamb when he saw a particularly bright star that seemed to be directly over Bethlehem. He had never noticed this star in all the years before, but ascribed the phenomenon to his lack of astronomical interest.
At last he found the lamb tangled in briars. Freeing the exhausted lamb, he placed her on his shoulders and started back to his flock. He was startled by a bright light just over the nearest hills and an echo of voices that resounded down the valley from a distance away. In the clear air of the hills he could just make out what was being said, and it sounded like a herald making a glorious announcement!
“Do not be afraid, for behold I bring you tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you. You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.”
Immediately after this echoing pronouncement, the glow over the hills became even brighter, and Joram heard the most beautiful singing he had ever heard, saying:
“Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
As the singing faded, Joram fell to his knees praising God for this wondrous event. He knew he must hasten to Bethlehem to see this miraculous Baby.
Joram gathered his flock and quickly went back to his home, penning the sheep and providing them plenty of water and fodder. He then dressed in his best robe, only slightly mended, picking up a special bundle as he left his home heading toward Bethlehem which was only a few miles away. Joram was guided by especially bright starlight shining over an inn on the outskirts of Bethlehem.
Upon arriving at the inn, he noted an unusual glow emanating from the stable behind the inn. With growing wonder, he approached the stable entrance where he saw three finely dressed men leaving.
Joram quietly entered the stable where he saw an exhausted and beautiful teenage Girl lovingly gazing at an Infant lying on a bed of hay in a manger. On a blanket next to the manger lay the gifts the three men had left: pieces of gold, a silver censer of frankincense, and an ivory inlaid horn of myrrh.
Joram knew his gift was not nearly so fine as these, but it was precious to him and would keep the new Babe warm in the chill night. He quietly approached the manger, kneeling at its side where, as he looked upon the Child, his heart was filled with joy and an immediate understanding this was Emmanuel- God with us!
Joram placed the soft lambs wool gown on the blanket next to the other gifts, feeling that perhaps his (and Naiomi’s) gift was insignificant next to gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But then as he arose to leave, the young Mother smiled at him and thanked him for his most precious gift.
Joram returned that morning to his home where he shared his story with the villagers. All were filled with joy and celebrated this wondrous event as told by their village wise man.
Thomas B. Hancher, MD was raised in the rural community of Columbus, Texas and graduated from Columbus High School in 1964. He attended the University of Texas in Austin and then the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, later becoming Board certified in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics. Dr. Hancher returned home to practice for 42 years, retiring in 2018. He married Christine Garrison in 1974 and they had three children, Heather, Shannon, and Blake who then gave them their seven grandchildren: Tyler, Sage, Grayson, Callie, Brooks, Norah, and Alida.
