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"When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way."
(Matthew 2:10-12)
John Hopkins, an ordained minister, wrote "We Three Kings of Orient Are" in 1857 based on Matthew 2:1-12. Here are all the lyrics of this popular Christmas carol sung all over the world:
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 for ever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign
Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Prayer 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
It's bitter perfume breathes
A life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone cold tomb
Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Al-le-lu-ia, al-le-lu-ia
Heaven to earth replies
O star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy perfect light
I love the story of these Magi. These wise men from the east traveled west to see the Child born in Bethlehem. If they were originally from Babylon in modern-day Baghdad, Iraq, then the distance they traveled from Baghdad to Jerusalem was 545 miles. If they journeyed 15 miles a day, then it would take them 36 days to complete their journey.
I love how intentional and proactive they were. They left their homelands, made the long journey, met with King Herod, entered the house where Jesus was, fell down before Him, worshiped Him, and presented their gifts to Him. Their focus was getting to Jesus, and their purpose united them to do hard things. May their example inspire us to do the same. It truly is amazing what we can do if we are determined to stick together, make sacrifices, do hard things, and simply trust God.
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