We three kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
Refrain:
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.
Refrain
Frankincense to offer have I;
Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, voices raising,
Worshipping God on high.
Refrain
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone cold tomb.
Refrain
Glorious now behold Him arise;
King and God and sacrifice;
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Sounds through the earth and skies.
Refrain
The three Kings... Look at the gifts they bring:
- Frankincense - is used in incense and perfume. Perhaps, in this case, it pictures the incense of Jesus' perfect life and priesthood rising up to His Father. Often in the Bible, the aroma of incense is an image of the prayers of God's people rising up to Heaven
- Myrrh - is also used in incense and perfume, but it was also a bitter and costly resin used in embalming. The image here is of Jesus' death, but also of His Royalty.
- Gold - the everlasting, untarnishing metal. In the Bible, and many cultures, gold is often used to portray purity and endurance. Jesus, of course, lived a perfectly pure life, and He is the Eternal God; unchanging and ever-present.
Each one of these gifts were precious, costing these men wealth and material goods.
The Kings also gave of themselves. They left their land to journey into a new one to find the Babe. In ancient times, travel was not nearly as safe as it is today. There were no McDonald's along the way, no Comfort Inns. They had to bring a lot of their own supplies, and barter with merchants to replenish them. They sacrificed their time and effort.
And why whould they do this?
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” (Matthew 2:1-2, NKJV)
They came to worship.
Come and worship at the manger. Celebrate the birth of your rightful Lord and King. Come to Him and give Him the gift He is waiting for: your love and worship.
Adam is still looking for submissions to the Carnival of Christmas!
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