The Ballad Of The Three Not So Wise Men

​I wrote this Christmas Carol to celebrate the birth of my friend JC. It expresses my feelings for Him and for this great rebirth holiday.

The song is about the three wise men who brought gifts to baby Jesus. But these are not simply treasures. They are symbols of the sins of all of humanity that they bring to Him for absolution. And specifically, they are three past lives I have lived. They are not, for the record, sins washed away by a pagan blood sacrifice professing to be Christian. They are sins washed away by the remorse in the tears of these three newly wise men as they know the infinite love of this baby and this man and follow him in the life he lives for us. It is his life of love, not his bloody sacrifice that saves these three lost souls who are all of us.

It's a long song, but please read all the way down. 🙏 

All the roads that I have journeyed down
My steps were always bold
Looking for that golden treasure
twas my one desire to hold.
Then I found a star so bright
It spoke to me of heavens might
Now I see a child whose smile
Turns all my gold to dust
Now I see the way you lead
And follow you I must.

Well I know that life is hard
For one so young and poor
So I'll give you all my precious gold
I don't need it any more.
Now I know that you are here
I'll drop my baggage for awhile
And wash my blistered empty life 
In the mercy of your smile.

Yes I am like my brother lord
I've played a foolish game
I wore the purple robes of God
But I sought the throne of fame
In the halls of church and temple
I wore the purple robes of pride
I must confess twas in your name
That to your flock I lied.

Here's the frankincense I offer you 
From the church that bears your name
It made a screen of smoke so deep
I could not see my shame. 
It began so pure but through the years
I lost that child within
Now I'll take the robes I wore so long 
and wrap you babe within. 
Please take this sacred incense lord 
And smudge away my sin.

Jesus dearest savior 
Myrrh is my gift for you. 
I am an ancient sage of God
To your spirit I was true
I hid away in a hermits tomb
I disdained those earthly joys
Man's foolish greed was not for me
I sought for heavens joys.

But somehow in those endless hours
I spent pursuing you
I forgot my brother's needs
I thought that they were fools.
Now Jesus before you here I stand
And feel you take my withered hand.
Now I'll take up my healer's staff
For you I'll walk the miles
Take this myrrh from my living grave 
And bless me with your smile.

Now you've lit one small candle
In the windows of our hearts
It's light may be poor in this gathering storm
But I know that it's a start.
I pray that it may light the way
To those who seek love's door
To offer shelter from the blast
Where we were lost before.

All the roads we have wandered down
Looking for our home.
But for all the doors we knocked upon
We found ourselves alone.
Finally we have seen inside
You've always waited there
Showing us the light of love 
And turn our souls to prayer.