The Twelve Days of Christmas Carols: We Three Kings of Orient Are

I with to share with you on the Feast of the Epiphany (normally January 6th, but celebrated today in the United States) the carol We Three Kings of Orient Are.

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 light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.

The three kings (who are nowhere called kings in Scripture) are the Magi. Tradition from the Early Church suggests that the Magi may have been priests of Zoroastrianism, a monotheistic religion of ancient Persia (modern day Iran). As such, they would likely have sought out truth as noble pagans. The article on the Magi in the Catholic Encyclopedia is worth reading. They followed the star westward toward Jerusalem, where they were directed by Herod's scholars to Bethlehem. The carol tracks the thoughts and speech of the three Magi on their way to see the King of Kings.

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign.
O star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.

God's plan for Israel had been to make them a beacon of light to the nations, to the Gentiles, who grasp at shadows of God in the darkness. King David sought to do this and Solomon drew the wisdom-seekers of the nations to Jerusalem in what could have become a fulfillment of God's plan, but he was corrupted by the pagan ways of these nations in an act which led to the downfall of all Israel. From that time and the exile which followed, the descendants of Israel sought out the true King of Israel and looked forward to His coming among them. The Magi wished together with the Jews to see the true heir of David seated upon his throne. The kingship of Christ is signified in this verse.

Frankincense to offer have I;
Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, voices raising,
Worshipping God on high.
O star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.

The hypostatic union, that mystery by which God becomes (and remains) man, was foretold by the Prophets who saw it as through a glass dimly. Frankincense, a type of incense meant for God, represents the divinity of Christ. God wished from ancient times to be the King of Israel, and so this new King is also God. Jesus Christ is God, the Son of God.

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone cold tomb.
O star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.

Myrrh is a spiced oil of anointing for death, and so here the Magi bring myrrh to anoint the Body of Christ, the perfect offering sacrificed to God the Father. We see also that myrrh can be a sign of the Beloved of Israel and of the Church (cf. Song of Songs 1:13), and so it also signifies the goal of Christ's death, to reconcile the family of man with the Family of God, and bring them together in His marriage to the Spotless Bride, the Church.

Glorious now behold Him arise;
King and God and sacrifice;
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Sounds through the earth and skies.
O star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.

Here the final verse sums up for us the purpose of the others, to signify "King and God and Sacrifice," and to sing out the praises of the newborn Christ child.

A very blessed Epiphany to you all!

His Servant and Yours,

Micah