Epiphany, or Three Kings Day

Today is Epiphany, or Three Kings Day, the reputed day that the wise men found the infant Jesus, though some think they arrived as much as two years later (which would explain Herod’s overkill of ordering the Innocents two years and younger to be massacred). The number of Magi, or Kings, has been stylized into three, perhaps to echo the number of their gifts and the three cultural branches of mankind, showing universality of the revelation. In many countries it is a day of gift giving. The Twelfth Day of Christmas.

Here is their portrayal in Jesus of Nazareth (1977) including a couple of familiar faces:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n6S5KBeSsQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfvRjFs_IKY

And I always found this version of We Three Kings an epiphany when I was wandering in the darkness of doubt:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_WzVrHjY2M&list=RDs_WzVrHjY2M&start_radio=1

 

[Verse 1: All]
We three kings of orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain
Moor and mountain
Following yonder star

[Chorus: All]
O star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy perfect light

[Verse 2: Melchior]
Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King for ever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign

[Chorus: All]
O star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy perfect light

[Verse 3: Casper]
Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Prayer and praising, all men raising
Worship Him, God most high

 

[Chorus: All]
O star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy perfect light

[Verse 4: Balthazar]
Myrrh is mine
Its bitter perfume breathes
A life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone cold tomb

[Chorus: All]
O star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy perfect light

[Verse 5: All]
Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice!
Al-le-lu-ia, al-le-lu-ia
Heaven to earth replies

[Chorus: All]
O star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy perfect light