The Other Wise Man Review for Christian Parents

Name: The Other Wise Man
Author: Henry van Dyke

Concern LevelLow

Concerning & Potentially Concerning Content

There are only a handful of things that we wanted to make sure you know about in this clean Christian Christmas title.

The first is simply to remind you to ensure your child knows this is a story of fiction and is not a part of the Bible.

Second, we should mention that the wiseman is a Magi and efforts are taken to set them in their proper historical context. Because of that, early in the backstory portion of the book, it can be a bit confusing whether they are speaking of the God of the Bible. Later this becomes much more clear, but a bit hard to parse out at first.

Finally, there is a bit of content that may not be suitable for the very youngest / most sensitive of readers. For example, there are a few situations like a woman being dragged off to debtors prison. Each of these is handled well. It would be easy to read through this short title to make sure, but most kids won’t have any issue with this content.

VerdictHIGHLY Recommended

Our Thoughts

This short book (our copy is 43 pages) from 1895 is one we are surprised we had never run across. It gives us a glimpse into the lives of not just this “other” wise man, but those who are a part of the Christmas story we tell each year. In this fictional tale the other wise man doesn’t just leave for the journey, but sells everything so he may bring gifts fitting for this King and occasion, saying, “The King is coming, I will go to meet him”.

This is a story that will encourage everyone, including parents, as we attempt to journey down this narrow road. It is a story of sacrifice, leaving the reader with a new appreciation of the beautiful verse where Jesus tells us “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' There are three beautiful interactions in the wise man’s life that lead to this realization for the other wise man, each incredibly powerful, crescendoing into a beautiful ending.

The author’s story is a reminder of a different time. A time when people went to a place like Princeton to prepare themselves for an eternally important career as a pastor. How much things have changed. But fortunately we can still enjoy these wonderful stories and share them with our families during this Christmas season. One we HIGHLY Recommend.

Plot Summary

Note: This information is typically from the publisher.

"I do not know where this little story came from--out of the air, perhaps. One thing is certain, it is not written in any other book, nor is it to be found among the ancient lore of the East. And yet I have never felt as if it were my own. It was a gift, and it seemed to me as if I knew the Giver."

--Henry Van Dyke

Long, long ago, a wise man named Artaban, a priest of the Magi, discerned from heavenly signs that the time was at hand for the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy--the birth among the Hebrews of a holy Prince and Deliverer of Man. Hastening to join three fellow Magi for the long journey into Judaea, he paused to help a dying man and was left behind. And so Artaban began his pilgrimage alone, striking out not toward the realization of his life's deepest longing, as he hoped, but only toward misfortune and suffering. Or so he believed until one blessed, radiant moment.

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Scripture Reflection

Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things. A good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.

— Proverbs 13:20

Quick Answer: HIGHLY Recommended

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