Day 20 - The 25 Days of Christmas

The Three Kings

Three Kings came riding from far away,

Melchior and Gaspar and Baltasar;

Three Wise Men out of the East were they,

And they traveled by night and they slept by day,

For their guide was a beautiful, wonderful star.

The star was so beautiful, large and clear,

That all the other stars of the sky

Became a white mist in the atmosphere;

And by this they knew that the coming was near

Of the Prince foretold in the prophecy.

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

We Three Kings

(by Lucy Adams)

“They offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” (Matt. 2:11b)

     Thousands of children have portrayed the wise men who brought gifts to the Christ Child at his birth.  The story is derived from Matthew 2:1-12, which is the only biblical reference to this even.  It is beautifully captured in the majestic hymn. “We Three Kings.”  Although there is no specific number of kings mentioned, it is assumed that each gift was carried by one man.

     The number involved is not essential for this Christmas message.  The gifts are symbols that explain the purpose of Jesus’ coming.  In stanza 2, “gold I bring to crown him again”, signifies that Jesus is the King.  Stanza 3 speaks of the gift of frankincense, which is the incense that denotes prayer and praise in Jesus’ priestly ministry.  In stanza 4, the gift of myrrh and “as bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom” points to Jesus’ suffering in death.

     John Henry Hopkins composed the words and music in 1857.  His intent to lift up this great event of praise and worship was eagerly received by his congregation and continues to add beauty to the Christmas season.

     Hopkins was born in Pennsylvania in 1820.  As a minister ordained into the Episcopal Church, he was also a leader in the development of hymnody in that denomination.  He was the first instructor in church music at General theological Seminary in New York City.  His popular publication, CAROLS, HYMNS AND SONGS was reprinted four times.  “We Three Kings” is the most well known song from that collection.

     After the first stanza, the words move from the activity of the three kings to a personal involvement.  Did I bring him gold, frankincense, or myrrh? Do I offer him “prayer and praising, voices raising, worshiping God on high?”

     The message is clear; I am responsible for my gifts to Jesus.  I chose to give my heart to him years ago.  Each morning when I awake, that continues to be my choice.

     Lord Jesus, like the wise kings of long ago, help me to give Christmas gifts that reflect my love for you. Amen.

“We Three Kings”

We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to rein

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Pray'r and praising, all men raising
Worship Him, God most high

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes of life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light

Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia
Earth to heav'n replies

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light