We Three Kings...

We three kings of Orient are

Bearing gifts, we traverse afar,

Field and fountain, moor and mountain,

Following yonder star.

Refrain:

Oh, star of wonder, star of night,

Star with royal beauty bright,

Westward leading, still proceeding,

Guide us to thy perfect light...

Louis sat behind the organ, his fingers dancing over the keys as he accompanied the choir's sweet and melodious voices. Their rendition of We Three Kings echoed through the church, filling the space with reverence. The congregation, arranged in four neat queues, moved solemnly towards the altar to receive communion from the priest. The altar servers beside the priests stood ready with communion plates. Each time a communicant stepped forward; the servers carefully held the plates just below the person's chin. This precaution was taken in the event of an accident, ensuring that if the communion slipped, it would fall onto the plate, allowing the priest to retrieve it with respect and reverence.

"You know, Louis? While I love that you play the organ, seeing you as an Altar server would be quite something." 

"What?!" Louis exclaimed, his fingers slipping on the keys. The sudden misstep echoed through the silent church. He looked around, bewildered. The voice was familiar, but he couldn't place it. 

"It seems... here will be the best place to reveal myself," the voice mused, calm yet enigmatic. 

Before Louis could respond, everything around him changed. The gentle hum of conversation, the shuffling of hymnals, and even the flickering candle flames came to an abrupt halt. The world froze, yet Louis remained untouched. 

Golden light flared beside him, faint at first but growing, as the space nearby cracked like fragile glass. The fractures spread outward, forming a shimmering rift that pulsed with energy. 

Time had stopped. 

From the rift, a figure emerged with an air of authority and grace. He was dressed in a pristine white suit, its sharp lines and intricate embroidery exuding an ethereal elegance. His hair was long and black, cascading to his waist in intricate braids that swayed gently with his movements. 

His eyes—golden, radiant, and endless—seemed to shimmer with the light of a thousand stars. They contrasted beautifully with his sharp, flawless features. Olive-white skin, slender fingers, and a clean-shaven jawline gave him an almost otherworldly beauty. 

The man stretched, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off stiffness from a long journey, his demeanor calm and unhurried. Every step he took seemed to resonate in the stillness, echoing like the toll of a bell in a vast cathedral. 

Louis stared, frozen in place, his mouth opening and closing without sound. His mind raced, but no words came. The figure's presence was overwhelming, leaving him shocked, stunned, and utterly speechless. 

"J-Jesus?!" Louis's voice was barely audible as he stammered in shock. 

"The one and only. Sup?" the man named Jesus replied with a proud smirk, casually tucking his hands into his suit pockets. 

"I... how?" Louis managed to croak, his mind racing. 

"Huh? I can't seem to understand you, brethren," Jesus teased, raising a brow as though he hadn't just walked out of a rift in space-time. 

Louis's eyes darted to the frozen figures around the church, his voice trembling as he asked, "What happened to them?" 

"Oh, them? Relax. I just stopped time," Jesus replied nonchalantly as if he'd merely paused a movie. 

"You what?!" Louis's voice rose in disbelief. 

"Stopped time." 

"How?" 

"Trade secret." 

"Come on, dude." 

"Not saying." 

"So, they're alright?" 

"As alright as alright can be," Jesus reassured him with a grin. 

"Mm." Louis nodded slowly, though his expression screamed confusion. 

The two sat in awkward silence for a moment. The stillness felt even heavier with everything else in the church frozen in place. Finally, Louis broke the quiet. 

"Why?" 

"There are many answers to your question," Jesus began, tilting his head thoughtfully. "Which one do you prefer? Short, long, revised, parable—" 

"Seriously? Just explain the f***ing thing!" Louis interrupted, exasperation cracking his voice. 

Jesus's eyes widened in mock horror. "Woah! Come on, man! No cursing." 

Louis sighed, rubbing his temples. "I'll try not to another time." 

"That doesn't sound reassuring," Jesus muttered, giving him a skeptical look. 

"..." Louis stared at him, unamused, and Jesus only shrugged, the faintest trace of amusement dancing in his golden eyes.

"Okay. What do you know about the world?" Jesus asked, his golden eyes fixed on Louis, who still looked utterly bewildered.

"I don't get you," Louis replied, narrowing his eyes cautiously.

"Do you believe that power is real?"

"Power? Like fantasies? Superpowers?" Louis asked, leaning forward slightly, trying to keep up.

"Not exactly," Jesus said with a shrug, "but that'll make do for now."

Louis raised an eyebrow. "You mean stuff like angels and demons, gods, spirits... all that?"

"Exactly. You've read about them in the Holy Book, right?"

"Yeah, sure. It talks about all that."

"Good. Now, what about the gifts of the Holy Spirit? The Heavenly Virtues?"

Louis blinked. "I've heard of them. But what does that have to do with this? And aren't you supposed to be... you know... dead?"

"Everything," Jesus said with a smirk. "And I resurrected on the third day. You remember that, don't you? Do you even read the Holy Book?"

Louis scoffed. "You tell me, omniscient one."

Jesus let out a laugh. "I don't use my divine senses like that."

"Well, I don't understand sh**."

"Language!" Jesus scolded, pointing a finger at him.

"Fine! I don't understand anything!" Louis shot back, throwing his hands up.

Jesus chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm getting to the part, kid. Patience."

Jesus then gestured toward Louis' grandparents, Vitus and Jane, seated in front of him. 

"You see those two?" he asked his tone calm but loaded with significance. 

"Obviously," Louis replied, raising an eyebrow. 

"Now, look closer," Jesus instructed, his golden eyes gleaming with intent. 

Louis squinted, focusing on his grandparents. They seemed the same as always. Vitus wore his usual white shirt tucked into gray trousers, and Jane was in her long blue dress and sandals, her hair neatly covered. 

"What do you see?" Jesus prompted. 

"My grandparents?" Louis answered uncertainly, still not understanding. 

Jesus sighed, then flicked Louis' forehead with two fingers, a playful yet firm gesture that made Louis yelp in surprise. 

"Ow! What was that for?" Louis grumbled, rubbing his forehead. 

"Try again," Jesus said, ignoring his complaint, and motioned for him to look once more. 

Still muttering under his breath, Louis turned back toward his grandparents. This time, what he saw made his heart skip a beat. 

"What in Heaven... is this?" he whispered, his voice barely audible. 

"Cool, right?" Jesus said with a grin, clearly pleased with the reaction. 

His grandfather Vitus appeared unchanged at first glance, but now a radiant, golden-silver light surrounded him. It moved like a living serpent, coiling and weaving around him with endless grace, as though it had a will of its own. 

Louis shifted his gaze to his grandmother Jane. Her appearance was equally breathtaking. A glowing white olive crown now adorned her head, radiating a soft, peaceful light. Behind her stood a towering, translucent figure of a woman clad in flowing robes. The figure's face was serene, and her hands were clasped in a gesture of prayer. 

"Grandma… Grandpa… What is this?" Louis asked, his voice trembling with awe. 

"That," Jesus said, stepping beside Louis, "is the manifestation of their virtues. Your grandfather's unwavering faith, wisdom, and strength shine through that golden-silver light. Your grandmother's kindness, grace, and devotion are reflected in her crown and guardian spirit." 

Louis's mouth went dry as he continued to stare. "You're saying they've always been like this?" 

Jesus nodded. "Always. But most people don't have the eyes to see it. That's why I gave you a little... divine nudge." 

Louis tore his gaze away to face Jesus. "So, what about me? Do I have something like that?" 

Jesus smiled knowingly. "Everyone does, Louis. It just takes time, faith, and effort to see it—and even more to make it grow. Your journey's just starting." 

Louis turned back toward his grandparents, still mesmerized by the ethereal beauty surrounding them. "This is... unbelievable." 

"Believe it," Jesus said, his voice firm but kind. "And remember, the world is far more extraordinary than it appears. You just have to be willing to see it."