The three men entered the tavern, blinking for a second against the light in the bar. Although warm and golden in nature, it stood a sharp contrast to the dark and cold outside. A small boy... whose child is this? someone might have asked. He was the bartender's seven year old son, who stopped teasing the cat, and watched the three men chafe their hands together, after gently placing three wrapped gifts on the bar top. The men sat in a row at the bar and asked for coffee. "Some Christmas cheer in your cups?" and the bartender inclined a bottle of whiskey in their directions. "No, " said the eldest of them, "We've miles to go tonight."

The boy, who stood barstool high, slowly approached, his eyes held hostage by the wrapped and ribboned gifts. The white-haired man said, as if in excuse, "these are for my Grandson" and he sipped the coffee. He smiled and told the bartender "perhaps a little bourbon might be in order," and he nodded at his friends who extended their cups for the pour."I give you," he said, "a very Merry Christmas and a Super Nova" at which the other two chuckled.

The bartender smiled quizzically and the man said "a new supernova has been discovered. We're headed to the Maxwell Planetarium to view it." The bartender poured himself a cup of coffee and said "indeed you do have far to go." He extended his hand and said "Max is my name". The man smiled, put down his cup, and said "I'm James King and these are my two sons. We're amateur astronomers. From back east you know. My daughter lives near the planetarium and we'll be staying with her for the holidays".

Max smiled and said "a new super nova. So it just happened?" The men all smiled, and James said "well, we are just now seeing it. It happened thousands of years ago." Max poured a Sprite for the boy, who had clambered up on a stool near the man. "So," said Max, "when we see it, when you see it, you are literally witnessing the distant past." The man smiled and said "great coffee. We'll have to stop again on the way back. Yes, looking deep into space is like looking back at the beginnings of all things. For me, astronomy is like a religion, I suppose." For a moment, the men were silent as the music and laughter in the background gained momentary sway. As it subsided, James drained the dregs of his cup and laid a five dollar bill on the bar. As he began to button his coat, the two others pushing their stools back, he smiled at the boy and said "what's Santa bringing you? You've been good, I hope."

The boy stared wide eyed, just shrugged, and the man patted his shoulder. That's when he grasped on to the man's coat sleeve and said "you are the three Kings. You know, like in the story. Aren't you?"

James paused, his fingers on the zipper of his leather coat, and laughed gently. "I suppose so," and he looked he looked at his sons who traded grins. The youngest said "and we're chasing a star, too, Pop. I think the kid's on to something."

James lifted the boy from the stool and, squatting in front of him, held up the red and green wrapped package and shook it. "What is it?" asked the boy. The man said "you'll have to wait until Christmas morning to find out,I suppose" and he handed the boy the gift. Max stammered "that..that's awfully nice but.." and James held up his hand and said "I thought it was for another little boy, but I just realized I was wrong, that's all. It's for this boy."

The three Kings went out the tavern door and the boy watched them drive away in a puff of smoke from their exhaust, a light snow just beginning to fall. He turned his head back to see his dad, who was busy with the other patrons. But there, on the worn wood of the bar top, the gift glowed in the back bar lights.