Home by Another Way

You probably know who James Taylor is. And it's likely that you could identify some of his songs. But the song I'm using this year as the backbone of my Christmas post is a little more obscure. It's called "Home by Another Way."

(To listen to the song. click here:)

Those magic men the Magi
Some people call them wise
Or Oriental, even kings
Well, anyway, those guys.

They visited with Jesus
They sure enjoyed their stay
Then warned in a dream of King Herod's scheme
They went home by another way.

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Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet.

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.¹

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Yes, they went home by another way

Home by another way
Maybe me and you can be wise guys too
And go home by another way
We can make it another way
Safe home as they used to say
Keep a weather eye to the chart on high
And go home another way

 (The term "weather eye" was originally a nautical one, meaning the ability  to quickly recognize signs of change in the weather.   But now its meaning has become to keep watch, to stay alert – even while doing something else.)

Steer clear of royal welcomes
Avoid a big to-do
A king who would slaughter the innocents
Will not cut a deal for you
He really, really wants those presents
He'll comb your camel's fur
Until his boys announce
They've found trace amounts
Of your frankincense, gold and myrrh.

And they go home by another way
Home by another way
You have to figure the Gods, saying play the odds
And go home by another way
We can make it another way
Safe home as they used to say
Keep a weather eye to the chart on high
And go home another way.

Home is where they want you now
You can more or less assume
That you'll be welcome in the end.
Mustn't let King Herod haunt you so
Or fantasize his features
When you're looking at a friend.

President Russell M. Nelson taught: "More than anything, our Father wants His children to choose to return home to Him. Everything He does is motivated by His yearning desire. The entire reason we are on this earth is to qualify to live with Him forever. We do that by using our agency to find and stay on the covenant path that leads back to our heavenly home." ²

Well it pleasures me to be here

And to sing this song tonight

They tell me that life is a miracle

And I figure that they're right

But Herod's always out there

He's got our cards on file

It's a lead pipe cinch

If we give an inch

Old Herod likes to take a mile.

(Here, I am using King Herod as a symbol for our enemy – the Adversary, Satan.)  

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. (James 4:7-8)

"God knew that because of the adversary’s deceptive tactics and traps, the covenant path would not be easy to find or to stay on." ³

It's best to go home by another way
Home by another way
We got this far to a lucky star
But tomorrow is another day
We can make it another way
Safe home as they used to say
Keep a weather eye to the chart on high
And go home another way.

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The magi kept that "weather eye to the chart on high" (which I am here interpreting as God's laws and His Plan of Salvation) and listened and obeyed the revelation that came in a dream. They took a different path back home.

There are some lessons in the story of the Magi that might apply to us. One of these lessons is learning to seek and follow revelation – in whatever way it comes: through a dream, the scriptures, the words of prophets or other church leaders, or the counsel of wise and inspired friends or family. All these can serve as a means to open our ears – and our hearts – to the still small voice.

We have all made mistakes, and stepped off the covenant path – maybe just a little, maybe quite a bit. We have the power – the God-given agency – to make the choice, in the overall direction of our lives, and in the moment-by-moment decisions that we make every day.

When King Lamoni asked Aaron where his brother Ammon was, Aaron, said, " Behold, the Spirit of the Lord has called him another way.⁴

Perhaps you are one of those who have been called another way. Maybe your call isn't very glamorous. Maybe your family doesn't look like many of your neighbors families. Maybe your body doesn't work like other people's bodies seem to work. But God's love and mercy are extended to all. The Savior's great act of Atonement applies to everyone who will accept it.

"We believe that Jesus’ teachings and His own matchless and perfect life provide a pattern for men and women to live by and that we must emulate that pattern as best we can to find true happiness and fulfillment in this life. We do not believe that we can either overcome the flesh or gain eternal reward through our own unaided efforts."⁵

Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: 

for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 

(Romans 3:22 - 23) 

For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?

And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of your sins.  And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain?  Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy. 6

So, He sent His Only Begotten Son to atone for us and to show us the way. The godly power available to all who love and follow Jesus Christ is the power to heal us, strengthen us, cleanse us from sin, and magnify us to do things we could never do on our own. Our Savior is the Divine Exemplar who marked the path that we are to follow. ⁷

This is why Christ was born. This is His Mission: to show us another way, and to provide a means to cleanse us from our errors and transgressions, so that we can go to that Home where no unclean thing can dwell.⁸

I know this is true. I have seen and felt it my own life, as I have stepped off the path, and felt divine help getting back on it. I have felt the joy and cleansing power of consistent repenting and forgiving. I'm walking the path unsteadily, and I probably always will, but I  know that if I "keep a weather-eye to the chart on high", I will walk the right direction.  

 . . . Covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. (1 Corinthians 12:31)

But in the gift of his Son hath God prepared a more excellent way;

May God Bless Us All With This Message of Redemption this Christmas Season.

Wishing You All a Merry and Holy Christmas! 

Notes:

¹ Matthew 2:1 – 12

² President Russell M. Nelson "The Love and Laws of God," address given at Brigham Young University.

³ President Russell M. Nelson, ibid

⁴ Alma 22:4 

⁵ Robert L. Millet, https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/what-mormons-believe-about-jesus-christ

⁵ President Russell M. Nelson, ibid

 ⁶ Mosiah 4:19-20

⁷ President Russell M. Nelson, ibid

⁸ See 3 Nephi 27:18

To see another favorite James Taylor song that has nothing much to do with Christmas  (except that they both  include happy children) click here: