Twelfth Night - Avedian

We Three Kings (arr. Jeff Atmajian)

Three gifts (gold, frankincense and myrrh) were brought to Jesus, but we are not told in the Bible how many visitors came. We also do not know if the magi were kings, and it has been posited that they were dream interpreters, those interested in magic, and/or astrologers from Persia (Zoroastrian astrology was common there), Babylonia (which would have had the most contact with Israel and Jewish scriptures) or Arabia. The star fulfilled Jewish prophecy of a coming Messiah, and the magi came to worship who they realized was truly the Messiah and King to which the star led them. Scripture condemned astrology and the dark arts, so when Matthew speaks of the magi coming, he is telling us that they were sinners – that Gentile sinners were coming to pay homage to the King of kings. In sum, pagan astrologers and sorcerers had been transformed to come worship the true God, even through pagan manners, all fulfilling prophecy, and displaying that Christ came to all people in all nations and for sinners.

I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star will arise out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab. – Numbers 24:17

Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar . . . The wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord. – Isaiah 60:3-6

After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. – Matthew 2:9-11

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.

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain,
gold I bring to crown him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
over us all to reign.

Frankincense to offer have I;
incense owns a Deity nigh;
prayer and praising, voices raising,
worshiping God on high.

Myrrh is mine; its 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:
Alleluia, Alleluia,
sounds through the earth and skies.

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