An Animal Parable Christian Story For Christmas Or Epiphany
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. — Psalm 20:4 NIV
Introduction – God Gives You The Desires Of Your Heart
This is a story about seeing the whole picture. We often base decisions on just one piece of information, or just one verse from the Bible. It is important to know the whole story, and then the Truth is revealed. Based on the story of the three wise men, magi, or kings, The Three Camels is about Erin, Nina, and Penda, three camels who believe God will send them on a great adventure. God answers their prayer in a dramatic fashion when they carry the Magi to see Jesus at Christmas.
You can read the actual story in your Bible at Matthew 2:1-12. After you read The Three Camels, visit the Animal Parable Bible Lesson for a kids devotion on seeing the whole picture that is based on this Christmas children’s story. There is also an Epiphany Play that has been adapted from this story.
Praise For The Three Camels – An Animal Parable Bible Story About The Three Wise Men
“Just a little note to tell you how much the ladies from our U. M. Women’s group appreciated the story of the camels (The Three Camels). Maybe it was written for children, but there really is a child in all of us. Thanks for your good work.”
Joan Wultsch
United Methodist Women, Arona, Pennsylvania
The Three Camels – By Harrison Woodard
A long time ago, there were three camels named Erin, Nina, and Penda. They wanted to travel to distant lands and visit wonderful places. The very wealthy and powerful wise men that owned them rarely left their palace. Instead, they spent their days studying ancient writings, and their nights searching the stars. They looked for signs in the heavens confirming ancient prophecies.
The three camels prayed, “God, please send us on an adventure.”
And God answered their prayer.
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 AMP
Several nights later, the wise men loaded their camels and headed west, towards a bright star. They traveled all through the night and into the next day until they reached an oasis. There, they rested in the shade of the big palm trees.
Erin said, “I think I know where we’re going.”
“Where?” asked the other two.
“My master, Melchior, placed a jar of myrrh on my back. This is a gift given to a great general, lord, or prophet. A man willing to serve his people and give his life for them if necessary. His house will be large and he will have hundreds of servants and soldiers attending his needs.”
The other camels nodded, “You may be right.”
Myrrh was symbolic of several things. Jesus was a prophet, declaring and revealing God’s Word. He was God’s sacrificial lamb, who would give His life for everyone. Myrrh was the main ingredient of the Holy Anointing. Jesus was The Christ – or Anointed One.
At sunset, they approached a large house.
“See, I told you,” bragged Erin. ”This must be the lord’s house.”
The three wise men spent the evening with the general who provided them with delicious food and entertainment. The camels were treated kindly as well.
After dark, they talked with the animals in the stable.
“Who lives here?” asked Erin. “He must be a very great man.”
“He is my master General Kadar,” said a donkey. “He is a great warrior and faithful servant to his King.”
The camels went to sleep, honored to visit such a great man’s home.
The next morning the wise men continued the journey. After traveling all morning, they stopped at another oasis to rest.
“My master did not leave his gift with General Kadar,” said Nina.
“Neither did mine,” said Erin. “I must have been wrong.”
“I think I know where we are going,” said Penda.
“Where?” asked the other two.
“My master, Balthazar, loaded a chest full of gold on my back,” said Penda. “Gold is a gift given to a king. This king must live in a fabulous palace somewhere to the west.”
The other camels nodded, “You may be right.”
After several more days, they arrived at King Herod’s palace. The wise men stayed in the palace as the King’s guests.
Gold is the most precious metal. It was used extensively in the construction of the Temple, and seen as a gift fit for royalty, or nobility. It is fitting that the three wise men presented Jesus with gold, recognizing his claim to being the Son of David, and King of the Jews.
In the royal stables, the camels were given water, food, and a a very nice place to sleep.
“See, I knew we were visiting a king,” bragged Penda.
The other camels said, “You were right.”
But the next morning, the wise men continued their journey without leaving any of their gifts.
“I don’t understand,” said Penda. “If not a king, then who?”
“I think I know where we are going,” said Nina.
“Where?” asked the other two.
“My master, Gaspar, put a container filled with sweet-smelling frankincense on my back,” said Nina. “Frankincense is the gift given to God. I believe we are going to a great temple. There will be many people offering their gifts and prayers to God.”
“You must be right,” said the other two.
Frankincense was a very expensive incense that was often used in religious ceremonies. Giving this acknowledged the deity of Jesus. Even though Jesus set aside His divine person, to temporarily live on Earth as the Son of Man, He was, and is forever, the Son of God.
Later that day, they came to the great Temple in Jerusalem.
“See, I knew we were visiting a temple,” bragged Nina.
The other camels said, “You were right.”
The wise men walked around the grounds and admired the beautiful structure. But after a short time, they mounted their camels and continued the journey.
Nina asked, “If the gifts are not for God, then who?”
They had visited a great general, a king, and God’s Holy Temple, and none were worthy of their masters’ gifts.
“We must be visiting someone really special,” said Erin.
The other camels nodded, “You must be right.”
NOW WHEN Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men [astrologers] from the east came to Jerusalem, asking,
2 Where is He Who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east at its rising and have come to worship Him.
Matthew 2:1-2 AMP
They left the Temple as the day was ending. King Herod’s advisors told the wise men that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. But when they left the Temple, they could once again see the great star. It led them away from Bethlehem straight to a modest house in the village of Nazareth.
“Why did we stop?” asked Erin. “Who could possibly live here?”
The three wise men knocked on the door.
A man named Joseph greeted them, “May I help you?”
“We have traveled many miles to visit the new King,” said Balthazar.
“We followed His star,” added Gaspar.
“We want to worship Him,” said Melchior. “Is He here?”
Joseph called to his wife, “Mary, bring Jesus here. He has some visitors.”
Mary appeared in the doorway, holding a small child.
“This is Jesus,” said Mary.
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was disturbed and troubled, and the whole of Jerusalem with him.
4 So he called together all the chief priests and learned men (scribes) of the people and anxiously asked them where the Christ was to be born.
5 They replied to him, In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are not in any way least or insignificant among the chief cities of Judah; for from you shall come a Ruler (Leader) Who will govern and shepherd My people Israel.
Matthew 2:3-6 AMP
The three wise men knelt down in front of Jesus and worshiped Him.
“Here is a vessel filled with myrrh. A gift to honor the Messiah, the Anointed One and the life He will give for everyone,” said Melchior.
“Thank you,” said Joseph.
7 Then Herod sent for the wise men [astrologers] secretly, and accurately to the last point ascertained from them the time of the appearing of the star [that is, how long the star had made itself visible since its rising in the east].
8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, Go and search for the Child carefully and diligently, and when you have found Him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship Him.
Matthew 2:7-8 AMP
“Here is a chest full of gold. A gift worthy of the new King of the world,” said Balthazar as he set the treasure before Joseph.
“Thank you,” said Joseph.
“Here is a container of frankincense. A gift worthy of the Son of God,” said Gaspar as he handed the container to Joseph.
“Thank you,” said Joseph. “God has granted great wisdom to you all.”
The three wise men graciously bowed.
9 When they had listened to the king, they went their way, and behold, the star which had been seen in the east in its rising went before them until it came and stood over the place where the young Child was.
10 When they saw the star, they were thrilled with ecstatic joy.
11 And on going into the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then opening their treasure bags, they presented to Him gifts—gold and frankincense and myrrh.
Matthew 2:9-11 AMP
“Will you be returning to your country tonight?” asked Joseph.
Gaspar answered, “We will spend the night here, and leave in the morning.”
“God bless you and protect you,” said Mary as she and Joseph waved goodbye.
That night, the three praised God for all they had seen.
12 And receiving an answer to their asking, they were divinely instructed and warned in a dream not to go back to Herod; so they departed to their own country by a different way.
Matthew 2:12 AMP
During the night, the camels couldn’t sleep. They talked about all that had happened. Suddenly, an angel appeared before them.
“Do not be afraid,” said the angel. “I bring you great news.”
“What is it?” asked the camels.
“Each of you thought you knew who you were going to visit. Erin said it would be a great warrior or prophet, willing to give his life to save his people. You were right. Jesus will give his life for all people and He will return and conquer all evil.”
“Penda said it would be a great king. You were right too. Jesus is the eternal King. His Kingdom will never end.”
“Nina said it would be a temple, or for God. And this was right as well. Jesus is God’s son,” explained the angel.
“Wow!” exclaimed the camels. “There is nobody greater in the world!”
They thanked God for allowing them to see Jesus and be part of such a great event.
And then the angel told them, “Tomorrow morning I will lead you home. Don’t turn to the right or left, but follow me wherever I lead you.”
The three answered, “We will obey.”
“Follow me. I will lead you home!” – Angel
The next morning, the three wise men mounted their camels and tried to turn the camels towards the north, but the camels refused to turn. They then tried to pull them to the south, but they still wouldn’t budge.
And then Gaspar said, “Last night I had a dream. I was warned not to go back and tell King Herod where to find the child. He wants to hurt Jesus.”
“I had that same dream,” said Melchior. “How will we get home?”
“We are to trust God,” said Balthazar. “He will show our camels the way.”
And then the angel appeared in front of the camels.
“Follow me,”
The camels followed the angel all the way to their own country.
Back at their home, they told all the other animals about their trip. For the rest of their lives, they praised God for choosing them for such a great adventure.
THE END
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