The song “We Three Kings” was written in 1857 by Rev. John Henry Hopkins to be used in the General Theological Seminary’s Christmas program in New York City.

The Biblical scripture about the visit of the Magi is found in Matthew 2:1-12. This scripture does not tell us how many wise kings from the Orient followed the star to find the Messiah. There are no names mentioned except King Herod who questioned them about their destination.

Did the number three become a legend from this song? Or was that, plus the names of the three wise men, a part of history that I never remember reading or being taught? Or maybe I had never searched for any further knowledge about the three wise men who set out to find the Messiah. So why am I questioning this now and does it make a difference whether the facts I’m discussing are true or false?

The following writings are from pamphlets which were with the three wise men which I bought my oldest daughter from the Fontanini Collection as a Christmas gift. I enjoyed reading these and hope others will also. (If anyone has additional information to share, I would love to know more.)

Melchior: Legend tells us that Melchior, the king of Arabia and India at the time of Christ’s birth, was a small gentle, elderly man with venerable ways. King Melchior has the distinction of being the eldest of the three wise men visiting the Christ child and his figure is always given the honor of being placed first before the others at the Baby’s crib. (Matthew 2:11 refers to the “house,” not “stable” and “child” not “baby.” “Crib” is not mentioned. It has been stated in some writings that it would have taken many months for them to reach their destination and that the Christ Child would have been nearly two years old by that time.)

Indeed, Melchior’s appearance substantiated his position: his beard was long and white, in dramatic contrast to the crimson robes that were his signature color. But this wise man wasn’t just a learned head-of-state with wealth and regal garments. He was also a patron of the arts with a soft spot in his heart for the harp. His greatest pleasure was said to have been listening to its beautiful notes hour after hour.

Like his esteemed traveling companions, Melchior was said to have waited a lifetime for a star to appear in the heavens. Once it did, there was no question but that he was destined to join the other two (?) kings for a journey to Bethlehem where it was promised that they would find waiting in the Holy City, the Messiah.

Each King brought a precious gift for the Child. Melchior carried a gold censor to the stable on the blessed day of Jesus’ birth (“stable” or “house?”). Scholars wrote that Melchior also carried silks and precious stones to Bethlehem and in one tale it was written that Melchior literally rolled out these treasures before the crib (?) of the infant “child?”

This stately emperor was said to have lived to the age of 116 and to have had a wife and a child. His journey to the crib of the Christ child completed a life-long dream that must have found him joyful beyond measure. For on the eighth day after visiting the birthplace of Jesus in the stable (?), Melchior was said to have gone to the temple to pray and then peacefully died, his mission fulfilled.

As they had been in life, so were three wise men together at the time of the first one’s death. Legend tells us that Balthazar and Gaspar lovingly bore Melchior to his tomb on the day of the eldest Magus’ death.

Balthazar: Of the three Kings traveling to Bethlehem in pursuit of a wondrous star nearly 2,000 years ago, the one who had come the furthest was said to be the Nubian King, Balthazar. This “Emperor of Black Men” who had journeyed north to meet his expected companions, is depicted in many Nativities dressed in fine robes… but writers are uncertain as to whether his first meeting with Melchior and Gaspar found him dressed quite so elegantly!

It is said that Balthazar’s journey had been so long and exhausting that his clothing was in tatters. And so we may conclude that he brought special clothing and changed before entering Bethlehem. Or perhaps his Magian brothers may have provided the attire.

Balthazar was indeed a prince of Africa and the king of Saba. Although usually pictured as mature, he does not have the wizened look of Melchior’s face nor the exotic facial features of Gaspar. Rather, Balthazar was the Ethiopian Magus whose gift of myrrh was brought a great distance with tender care.

Of all of the kings’ gifts, Balthazar’s myrrh was truly a gift of his homeland. Myrrh is an aromatic resin that comes from the bark of thorny, African trees. It was prized throughout the Holy Land 2,000 years ago, because it was said to deter vermin from invading the household when the plant was dried and pressed into incense. Symbolically, myrrh is said to represent suffering … and it was for that reason that Balthazar chose to bring to the scene of Christ’s birth a gift of such meaning.

While Melchior, the elder statesman of the three Magi, was given the honor of being allowed to stand first before the crib of the newborn Jesus, it was

Balthazar who was said to get the infant’s attention first. Despite the gold and the sweet-smelling frankincense and the jewels and the cloth brought by the two wealthy kings, it has been written that the simple urn of myrrh which was carried by Balthazar awoke the baby Jesus. And he was said to smile sweetly upon the weary Nubian.

At the age of 112, on the day of the Feast of the Epiphany, Balthazar died after saying prayers at the temple. He followed Melchior in death by days and was buried next to the eldest king by their third companion, Gaspar. And at his burial, Gaspar, the youngest of the three Magi, honored the Nubian by taking up some of the same resin as a sweet goodbye and showering the second wise man with the myrrh.

Gaspar (also known as Gaspard, Caspar, and Jaspar) was said to be the youngest of the three Kings following the brilliant star to Bethlehem. Gaspar was about 109 when he set out with his companions to greet the arrival of the Christ child nearly 2,000 years ago.

Gaspar was a strong proud king with the weighty titles of “Emperor of the World,” King of Tharsis” and a number of other minor titles. Before leaving his homeland to make the Bethlehem pilgrimage, he was said to have lived in such splendor that he sat only on pillows fashioned of gold-embellished tapestry cloth!

Although a man of many kingdoms, Gaspar was also said to be very sentimental. His favorite pastime was chanting the somber songs learned at the knee of his grandfather. Indeed he sang the plaintive tunes to the other kings on their journey.

This regal king is most often depicted wearing an elegant turban. Lyric poets have described Gaspar’s headdress as wrapping around his head like a blossom of almond trees. We can imagine that it must have been fashioned of fine silk.

A beautiful vessel of frankincense was brought to the Christ Child by Gaspar. Writings concluded that this fragrant African aromatic, known to symbolize prayer was also laced with gold. Some chronicles included fanciful tales of Gaspar spilling a chest of diamonds before the Child.

Many details of the wonder-filled journey that culminated in the visitation to Bethlehem are today lost in time. But scholars seem to agree that this young king (who has often been said to symbolize divinity) came to the scene respectful of the senior Magus Melchior. In the deference to the eldest king, Gaspar stood aside to allow the older man first place before the Child.

In the process of preparing this column, I felt a need to do some research and find out more about this part of the beautiful Christmas story. But regardless of what I don’t know, it certainly is the most wonderful example of giving to others. And we are blessed to be receivers of Christ’s love!

 

Linda Beck lives in Woodleaf.