An Animal Parable Christian Story For Christmas Or Epiphany

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.

Ask the animals Job 12:7 the theme of Animal Parables. This introduces the story of the three wise men carried by three camels to see Jesus.

Praise For The Three Camels – An Animal Parable Bible Story About The Three Wise Men

Three wise men visit King Herod. From the Christmas story - The Three Camels - A Christian story about the camels who carried the Magi to see Jesus.

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.

Three camels, Erin, Nina, and Penda ask God to sent them on an adventure. Saddle up for the ride of your life as they carry the Three Wise Men to see jesus

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.”

Camels carried three wise men to Jesus, following a star. Erin believes they are visiting a military officer because Melchior is carrying Myrrh.

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.

One of the camels that carried three wise men to Jesus, Penda believes they are visiting a king because Balthazar brought gold as a gift.

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.

Gaspar, one of the three wise men traveling on camels to see Jesus brought a gift of Frankincense. His camel, Nina thinks that they are visiting a Temple or place of worship.

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.”

When the three wise men reached Jerusalem, they got their eyes off the star and turned to man for directions. King Herod's advisors said Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and yet He and his family were already back in Nazareth.

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.

Mary with her child Jesus back in Nazareth. After they accomplished all that was required in Jerusalem, the family returned to their home in Nazareth. The three wise men found Jesus there.

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.

Joseph with a young Jesus in Nazareth. The wise men and their camels followed the star directly to the house where Jesus lived.

“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.

The wise men - likely more than three, were kingmakers of the ancient world. And when they visited royalty, they brought extravagant gifts, including gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

“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.

Angels were God's messengers. One appeared to the camels to help them understand their journey and who Jesus was. They each only saw part of the picture.

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.”

Herod was waiting for the three wise men to return, knowing that they would find the precise location of his rival. God made sure they went home a different way to avoid Herod's spies.

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

To learn more, click here: Christmas and Wise Men and Epiphany

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