Hazel

Legalism is rather like the teaching in schools in England today - you have a set of rules (the curriculum) and if you learn all the rules you pass the test at the end. Teaching is now about how to pass the test not about how to think. It is, therefore, easier to follow a list of rules: Christians don't --- smoke, drink alcohol, swear, commit adultery, etc; Christians do --- give money to charity, go to church every Sunday, remain faithful to their partner, etc. The rules were developed, as far as I can understand, by men and women of faith to provide pointers not as absolutes to be obeyed without question. We are believers adn need to follow Christ's teaching not a set of man-made rules.

How can *I* emulate the behaviour of the Magi? The glib answer is "with great difficulty". I find it hard to give up "me" to His control -- to pray "take my life and let it be dedicated all to thee" and really want Him to take my life. So, the Christmas story at this point becomes a hard-to-follow example.