According to legend there were three wise men, Casper from Europe, Melchoir from Asia, and Balthazar from Africa, who watched the star from its rising, and recognized that it hailed the birth of the new King of Israel. In this time it was customary to pay the child homage and bring gifts appropriate for such a grand occasion.
The men set off from their homelands and met on the road to King Herod’s palace. Israel was unique in that the crown was not always passed from father to son. However, the palace was a good place to start. When they arrived and inquired, their news was met with dismay rather than great joy.
Herod’s advisors sent them East to Bethlehem. The King, not wanting to be replaced, told them go and return to him with the location,”…so that I too may do him damage–I mean homage .”
The three set off and found the Child with His mother in a house where they were residing. They presented their gifts of gold, frankencese and myrh. Though seemingly customary gifts: gold for His kingship, frankencence to offer in prayer, and myrh for the anointing, there is a darker side. Myrh is also used in the anoiting of the dead. Without knowing it, they were foreshadowing Jesus’ role in our world: He came to the poor, He came for the Gentiles, He was our King, He was our High Priest, He was our Sacrifice that we may be reconciled to the Father.
After their visit, an angel of the Lord appeared to them and warned them not to return to King Herod’s court, so they set out by a different way. As they traveled, they decided not to return to their homelands but instead to remain together and travel for the rest of their days.
Today they are entombed side by side in a church in Germany.
0