Rumors buzzed around the court like a swarm of gnats near a hippopotamus. Three aliens had come to Herod for advice. Some claimed they were of royal lineage. Others imbued them with spiritual acumen. Still more reported that they were scholars seeking ancient secrets. Only I knew their true purpose, but gossip never passed my lips.

I served the refreshment Herod ordered for his honored guests. After the trays laden with appetizing morsels had been brought in, I poured wine, standing by to replenish drinks. Everyone else had been dismissed, but I was the dumb, loyal servant, the one privy to conversations that were never repeated through the gossip grapevine.

The men who partook of Herod's hospitality were dressed in the finest of garments, but in styles diverse and decidedly foreign. One wore his turban twisted around his head and pinned with a bright jewel in the front, rather than leaving it flowing around his neck. His skin was extremely dark, giving his white teeth an eerie gleam in contrast. He was statuesque and muscular, the bloom of youth still evident.

A second wore a funny looking soft hat that was close-fitting except for the odd looking curved piece that stuck up on top and came to a peak above the forehead. This man was clean-shaven and had light skin and pink eyes. He was obviously one of the peeled ones, born without proper color, who often were dedicated to the gods. The wrinkles around his eyes attested to years that brought wisdom, but his was not yet the countenance of the revered ancient.

The third wore nothing on a head covered with flowing white locks that fell well below his shoulders. His face was hidden by a dense white beard, but the visible skin was swarthy and leathery looking, as though accustomed to exposure to the sun. He was, perhaps, the eldest.

All wore capes, but of varying lengths, colors, and materials. Underneath the capes, they sported short, belted tunics and tight fitting leggings suitable for riding. Their feet were clad in finely tooled leather sandals of differing styles and dyed various earthy shades. The only commonalities were winged circles of gold hanging on pendants lying on their breasts, and a twisted crimson cord tied around their waists.

The simple gold ornament identified them as followers of the ancient Persian Prophet Zorathustra. Egyptians accorded honor to Zorastrians, since they too paid homage to the sun, although not by worshipping the Sun God, Re. The crimson cord was a sacred tool used during prayer that reminded of fire, which symbolized order and justice. The sun, moon, and stars were the havens of divine fire, reflected in the earthly flame created by man. The god they revered, Ahura Mazda, was a god of truth and light, filled with eternal wisdom. He struggled against the spirit of evil that was loosed in the world and held sway in the darkness.

All of this I knew from the lessons of my mother. I was not certain that this foolish Jewish king was privy to the same knowledge. If so, he gave no indication that he understood the spiritual significance of their adornment.

Their bearing was regal, demanding instant respect. They were men on a mission, who expected kings to respond with alacrity to their requests. Their speech was difficult to understand because they often placed emphasis on the wrong syllable or slurred over consonants as though unable to form them correctly.

They engaged in small talk only long enough to satisfy courtesy before plying Herod with urgent questions. They told him only that they were Magi who had traveled from Persia. All three studied astrology in a center of learning in Qum. Although they did not claim royal or priestly status, Herod seemed to assume that they were of high rank. Who but a wise priest or a lesser prince would dedicate his life to the study of the heavens?

Surprisingly, the black youth with the turban and shining teeth seemed to be the leader, speaking for his elders. He called himself Balthazar. He bowed to Herod, not low or prostrate as a servant or vassal, but more of a brief bobble, as an equal showing respect.

"We have traveled a long way, following a brilliant new star," he told Herod. "We were excited to discover this star and after much research deduced that it heralded the birth of a royal infant whose destiny is to be King of the Jews. Unfortunately, our research did not reveal the exact birthplace. We have brought gifts to pay homage to a king powerful enough that his birth would be heralded by the appearance of a new light in the heavens so dazzling as to dwarf other luminaries in the night sky. We believe he has spiritual as well as political significance, otherwise the gods would not have marked his birth so radiantly. Does not one of your sacred books say, 'A star shall come out of Judah; a scepter shall rise out of Israel?'"

As the man spoke, I could see the tell-tale signs of Herod's famous temper. While in his service, I had seen his anger stirred many times. I knew the physical signs that rage was building below the surface and might erupt in curses, lashes, thrown implements, or other signs of tantrum. I watched warily as his ears turned red and his hands shook as he took a hasty gulp from his cup. The struggle to appear solicitous and helpful filled the room with a tension so palpable that I was sure these wise men from the east must feel its radiation. Yet, they continued to chat with Herod about the blessed event as though totally oblivious to the evil aura that I so clearly discerned.

My heart pounded in my chest. All of my senses came to attention. An infant king was being sought. Herod's temper was aroused. I knew of his murderous disposition. This was the event for which mother had prepared me. Somehow this infant king needed my help. Mother's song echoed in my mind, "You will know your task when your spirit takes wing."

I had always wondered how one's spirit took wing. Now I knew. With my heightened senses it was as though I leaned over the table with the four men, rather than hovering in the background. I could hear the slightest whisper. My eyes recorded every detail. The smells in the room seemed to assault my nasal passages.

Herod assured the Magi that his wise men would be able to direct them to the place where the young child lived. He informed that he would consult them.

"Return tomorrow afternoon," he told them. "I will have the information that you seek."

As soon as the men were ushered out of the court, a flurry of activity ensued. All of Herod's counselors, political and spiritual, were summoned. The room soon filled with men, curious to find out why their king was in such an agitated state. I was told to remove the refreshment. This was akin to a counsel of war. No servant, no matter how trusted, would be permitted entrance.

This came as no surprise. I had long ago explored the nooks and crannies of the palace. I knew where to hide so that I could hear what went on in the room. I had practiced blending into the shadows for just such a time as this.

I did not have to be in the room to know that Herod paced. His voice rose as he neared the wall closest to where I hid, and fell as he retreated. The tone was filled with malice as he ranted about men so bold as to question a reigning king about an infant usurper.

"They claim to follow a star!" he roared. "They had the audacity to quote our sacred writings to me," he fumed. "They said their research revealed a passage that reads, "'A star shall come out of Judah; a scepter shall rise out of Israel.' What writing contains such a passage?"

A religious scribe spoke hesitantly, "This is found in Moses' writings, but it was not spoken by our great prophet. This was the utterance of the Oracle Balaam. We have not given it much credence."

"Perhaps you are remiss!" Herod thundered. "What else have you chosen to suppress because you thought it insignificant?"

"No-Nothing, your eminence," the man stuttered.

"Nothing! Then there are no other passages that speak of stars or kings that might be relevant to their search?"

"The prophet Isaiah did speak of Gentiles being attracted to a light in Israel, and kings to the brightness of its rising," another voice offered. "These men are Gentiles. Rumors speak of royal lineage. Perhaps this is the fulfillment of prophecy."

"False prophecy!" Herod snarled. "Do these obscure prophecies tell where this pretender who thinks to dethrone the royal line might be born?"

"The Messiah that will free us from foreign domination will come from the line of Judah," someone offered. "This has been prophesied from the earliest of times."

"Descendents of Judah are scattered all over the land," a political adviser said in exasperation. "That is of no help."

"Go! Search the sacred writings. Do not return until you have an answer," Herod barked.

"That won't be necessary," a confident voice offered. "My ancestor, the prophet Micah, told Hezekiah where the King of the Jews, who is destined to rescue God's people from foreign domination, will be born."

As the man spoke in a commanding voice, he was moving toward where Herod stood near the wall outside of which I was secreted. His voice grew louder and more authoritative as he approached the evil king.

"'But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.' Thus spoke the prophet Micah. When the deliverer king comes, he will be born in Bethlehem. If this star heralds his birth, you will do well to bow and worship him, Herod. You cannot stop what God put in motion before time began."

"Certainly you jest!" Herod spat at the bold spokesman. "Micah spoke of deliverance in the time of Hezekiah. God did not send a star to lead kings and wise men to Bethlehem to bow to some sniveling infant. I will send these stargazers to Bethlehem. They will be instructed to bring word back. If they find the fulfillment of prophecy, you and I will go together to revere what your ancestor prophet foretold," he sneered. "If no king is to be found there, you will be stoned as a false prophet."

With that, he summoned the guard to haul the hapless spiritual adviser off to the dungeon. I slipped away, wondering just how I could warn the young king. I had no doubt that if the Magi brought word back of a juvenile king, Herod would take his life, rather than going with the doomed prophet to worship this messiah.