We Three Kings", also known as "We Three Kings of Orient Are" or "The Quest of the Magi", is a Christmas carol that was written by John Henry Hopkins, Jr., in 1857. At the time of composing the carol, Hopkins served as the rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and he wrote the carol for a Christmas pageant in New York City. It was the first Christmas carol originating from the United States to achieve widespread popularity. Many versions of this song have been composed, but it remains one of the most popular and most frequently sung Christmas carol today. Hopkins organized the carol in such a way that three male voices would each sing a single verse as a solo and the first and last verses of the carol were sung together by all three. But today the three male solos are seldom performed that way. On a personal note, I grew up in a very small church that maintained the tradition of children participating in Christmas programs. Unfortunately, there were only two other boys my age and so annually the three of us would be drafted to sing this song. My verse was the one about frankincense and for many years the three of us struggled through this carol. Decades later I still know the words to that verse. The carol itself centers around the men who came from the East to visit Christ. Despite the tradition of there being three magi, with the names of Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar, the Bible does not identify the number, their background or even the time of their appearance. While they could have been rulers, we have no reason to even believe that they were wealthy. In fact, some Bible scholars believe "magi" could refer to a caste of Persian priests or sorcerers who were experts in astrology, divination and interpretation of dreams. But what we do know is that they traveled some distance with the hopes of worshipping the newborn King of the Jews. And they did bring gifts of great worth. The gold prophesied of the child's kingship. The frankincense spoke of the purity of his life and the myrrh predicted his coming death. Somebody has said that these three gifts represent what the Lord desires from us. The gold could represent our most precious possessions and our hopes and dreams. The frankincense could denote the pleasing fragrance that would come from living a life of holiness. The myrrh could represent the fact that we have died to self and now live for Christ. Together these gifts could signify giving Him our very life. Have we done that? As we sing this traditional carol this year, let's concentrate on doing just that. May these words help us in daily giving our gifts to the King. "Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be." (Luke 12:34)
1. We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light
2. Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light
3. 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
4. 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
5. Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light.
This week you have three choices to hear this carol. The first is done by a choir. LISTEN 1
The third is done by one of my favorite groups, The Piano Guys LISTEN 3
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