We Three Kings of Orient Are

A wonderful and well know carol written by American Reverend John Henry Hopkins Jr. in 1857. This song has been recorded many times and my very favorite version is by Canadian band the Barenaked Ladies.

The three kings are magi, probably of Persia, who, according to the Bible, visited Jesus Christ, as a small child (not at the manger as often portrayed in nativity scenes). Although they were later assigned the names of Balthazar, Gaspar and Melchior, nowhere in the Bible does it say that there were only three magi. The gifts offered to the newborn Jesus have the following significance:

*Gold represents Jesus' kingship, not as an earthly king but a heavenly one.

*Frankincense represents Jesus' role as priest, he is the perfect intermediary between mankind and God.

*Myrrh, associated with death, represents Jesus' role as Saviour, in connection with his ultimate purpose of sacrificing himself to redeem mankind.*

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, AlleluiaEarth 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.

*Wikipedia