“We three kings from orient are . . .”
Who were the three kings?
Were they really kings or wise men-wizards known as Magi or some other
important seekers from foreign lands? Tradition
names them, Balthazar, Melchior and Gaspar and we believe they followed a star
- a star placed in the sky by God that called them from other lands to witness
the birth of the infant Jesus. We also know
they stopped to visit King Herod, as polite protocol dictated because it was
not considered prudent to travel into another’s territory without paying your
respects, but what else do we know of them?
We have our imagination to serve us on who were these three travelers
come to pay homage to Jesus. We have no
record of their real identity. We know
not exactly from where they came - other than ‘from the East’ or if there were
more than three of them or if they were really kings. We arrive at their number by the three gifts
of gold, frankincense and myrrh they bring to the King of kings, the infant
Jesus.
A few things we may surmise about the kings. Despite the popular Christmas card images of
three royal individuals traveling alone by camel, kings and other wealthy
important people always had an entourage of servants, soldiers and courtiers traveling
with them.
After all, it was dangerous times for anyone to be traveling
alone – and someone had to carry and protect the valuable gifts and look after
the needs of these important persons. - And,
we can assume that these foreigners were Gentiles, not Jews. Herod most likely would have known them if
they were Jewish royalty.
In this story God shows that He calls all people to Himself
in Christ Jesus. Leading these Gentile
kings to Jesus is God’s desire for all His children come to Him and receive His
gift of new life found in His Son. He
asks all people to witness His Good News of Light coming into the world;
bringing what we have seen to others, so that His love may be known by all
people.
The angel-messengers appeared not to Herod or other Jewish
leaders – not to the power and might of Israel - who would use it to their own
purpose, but to these foreigners, these Gentiles - and to the lowly, to shepherds
and servants. These, - whom the powerful
considered unworthy, - God calls to witness His glory and to bring away what
they have seen and experienced to the all the world.
The Word made flesh, from the very moment of His birth, spreads
God’s message of love through those - whom the Father calls to witness the
birth of the Son.
He calls them to sing the first notes
of the song of salvation to the world.
He calls them to share what they have
seen and heard, so that hope may be made known in the birth of the Christ-child;
bringing everlasting joy and peace to the world.
He calls them to see the great light that
comes to banish the darkness – His light that leads to love and newness of life
– so that all may share in the Father’s love and mercy; leading all to everlasting
life.
Each of us, - in our station in life, - is called by God,
just as were the shepherds and the three kings, along with their servants, to witness
God’s glory, - to follow His star - and proclaim His wonders that lead others
to Jesus Christ. We too are called - to
take away with us the miracles we have seen, - and the Word we have heard – to
sing God’s praise, and proclaim His Good News - that this Jesus, this Son of
the Living God, is Lord - to all we meet wherever we journey in the world.
~Amen.
Peace,
Deacon Don
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