Primitive Christianity Revived, Again
We never see the fourth king in a manger scene.
Um, yes I know these weren't really kings. They believed in following stars around though; my story keeps that element.
The fourth king had less adept court astrologers or had more travel snags, or for whatever reason, doesn't show until like July-August, somewhere in there.
The holy family is gracious and accept the gift. Jesus, precocious as always, is showing signs of future greatness. The family is doing better by then, out of the manger scene, thanks in some degree to the earlier charitable donations.
Since this is made-up, we might go for a Queen instead, as the fourth Elder (wise woman, witch). Either way, "Christmas in July" as a kind of secular gift exchange time, good for commerce, is already incipient. That's not a meme I came up with. Check it out: http://bit.ly/1SeyY3E
This fourth representative of some controlling 1%, a cabal, part of an elite group of Magi (insiders), a visitor with a sterling gift for the new King (takes one to know one) is perhaps the missing catalytic ingredient. Santa alone cannot shoulder the burden.
I know it's fashionable and seemingly virtuous to assume a posture of righteous indignation about all the commerce that goes on in conjunction with the gift giving season.
These may be small exotic items made by co-ops of shanty town villagers trying to make ends meet, i.e. "buying for charity" i.e. "socially responsible investing" is a Right Sharing of World Resources, or at least a step in that direction. Help your enemy build a hospital, send him medical supplies.
Rather than be "fashionable", as a representative of a business-oriented cult that achieved its peak in Anglophone culture in the 1790s ("Quakers"), I won't shy away from the commercial aspects of Christmas. On the contrary, I play up the Magi, and fine to celebrate Epiphany instead (January 6), why not both?
I even go along with the move to introduce a fourth Magician (male or female, doesn't matter -- why not vary the tale), as an aid to additional economic productivity.
What's not in Good Order is trafficking in outward weapons during these holy / magical times. That's like bringing an Orc weapon to a friendly Hobbit gathering, a major faux pas.
Christmas / Hannukah is a time for diplomacy, smiles, friendly gestures. That's what the gifts foment: a willingness to forgive and make up. The July Christmas should work the same way. Not a good time to be shipping handguns to the kiddy stores, or assault vehicles of any kind.
For further reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_of_Bethlehem
http://www.anthempress.com/quakernomics
http://worldgame.blogspot.com/2008/01/christmas-folk-lore.html
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