“When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till 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 (RSV).
According to tradition, the wise men visited the Christ child on Jan. 6. Some scholars claim that for several reasons the visit may have been a year or so after the birth. Luke does not mention their visit; Matthew states they went “into the house,” not the stable; and it would have taken them time to find their star and interpret its meaning.
The Christian feast commemorating this visit is called Epiphany, which comes from the Greek “epiphaneia” meaning “appearance” or “manifestation.” It was also referred to as the Feast of Three Holy Kings.
What we know of these wise men and their gifts comes through stories, legends, traditions and the prophecies. First, a journey back to biblical prophecy. Psalm 72:10-11 predicts that “the kings of Spain and of the islands will offer him gifts; the kings of Arabia and Ethiopia will bring him offerings. All kings shall fall down before him”(TEV).
Through these biblical prophecies, the wise men became known as “kings.” These men are also known as “magi,” an Indo-European word meaning “great, illustrious.” The magi originated in ancient Persia and were priestly scholars who devoted their time to studying religion, as well as math, science, medicine and the stars. The English word magic comes from magi.
Where did the wise men come from? The only reference to a place is when Matthew says, “from the East” (v.9). Some scholars feel the wise men were from Persia; their origin is not known.
There are no biblical references to their names or their number. Ancient paintings have represented two, three and as many as 12 men. In time, three became the accepted number, possibly from the biblical reference to three gifts, each thought to be given by a different man. Another suggestion is that they represented all humanity in its three races.
By the sixth century, the wise men had names, origins and features. Melchior, King of Arabia, representing the elderly with a long white beard, brought the gift of gold. Caspar, King of Tarsus, was young, beardless and represented the future. He brought frankincense. The black-skinned, middle-aged man with a thick dark beard brought myrrh. He was called Balthazar, King of Sheba.
Why were gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh offered to Jesus?
During biblical days, as now, gold was considered a precious metal and important medium of exchange. Gold represented tribute to a king, frankincense meant worship and myrrh symbolized death.
Frankincense and myrrh (also an incense) were valuable to ancient peoples. Both came from the gum resin of trees. These trees were found in the arid regions of the Red Sea. The value of incense was high due to the difficult delivery by sea and caravan.
Incense was used in the home for honored guests, as well as for religious and medical reasons. Frankincense was considered helpful in the treatment of wounds and bruises, while myrrh was used to treat eye, ear and nose ailments. Mixed with wine, myrrh was thought to dull pain. When Jesus was crucified, it was Nicodemus who “brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes…. Then they took the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury” (John 19:39-40, KJV).
What happened to the wise men after they left the Christ child?
Matthew 2:12 (TEV) says “they returned to their country by another road, since God had warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod.” An old legend tells us the apostle Thomas met them 40 years later. He instructed them in the Christian faith and baptized them. All became priests.
Legend also notes that they were martyred together and buried in the city of Sewa in the Orient.
Another story tells us the relics, or bones, of the three wise men were discovered by Empress Helena and taken to the Church of Saint Sophia in Constantinople. Later, in the sixth century, they were taken to Milan. From there, Emperor Barbarossa transferred them to a shrine in Cologne, which is today a center for pilgrimages.
The wise men and their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh have not been lost. You’ll find them, by giving the gift of love to all peoples of all races and colors.
Carole Christman Koch grew up in Berks County and has been published in numerous publications. She has a passion for writing and has many stories from growing up on a farm to everyday stories.
