The Story of the Three Kings

"We three kings of Orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar," goes the famous Christmas carol, but from where? Little is known about the Magi, or three wise men as they've come to be known. Over 2,000 years later, the three kings remain one of the great mysteries of Christ's nativity.

The Three Kings, or as they are commonly known, the Three Wise Men or Wisemen, have long been one of the most mysterious aspects of Christ's nativity. They are mentioned in Matthew's Biblical nativity but not Luke's, and Matthew refers to them, without number, as Magi. In the words of the Church of England, "the visitors were not necessarily wise and not necessarily men." So who exactly were these Magi?

We Three or 12 Astrologers or Magicians
Many traditions surround the Magi. Some people believe that Matthew's nativity is intended to be symbolic rather than literal. But those who believe in the real existence of the Three Kings have put great effort into uncovering their origins.

What is known for sure is that the Magi were followers of the Zoroastrian religion. The word Magi is a complicated one and has been translated many ways, including shaman, sorcerer, wizard, and astrologer. It is also the source of the English words magic and magician.

Zoroastrianism was originally a Persian religion, but in a form of Zoroastrianism known as Zurvanism, Magi was the specific title of a priestly caste that paid great attention to astrology. As Babylon was the center of Zurvanism, some people believe the Magi came from there rather than Persia.

Some traditions embrace both the symbolic and literal aspects of the Three Wise Men story. The "Three Kings" were seen as real-life symbols of worldwide submission to Christ's rule, and under the names Balthasar, Gaspar/Casper, and Melchior, were reported to be the kings of Arabia, India, and Persia, respectively.

Yet the number three is not found in Matthew's nativity. Eastern traditions put the number of Magi visitors at 12. The belief in Three Wisemen stems solely from Matthew's mention of gold, frankincense, and myrrh as gifts to the holy family.

Following Yonder Planet

The star of Bethlehem that the Three Wise Men were said to follow has also caused great speculation. Skeptics have pointed out that a star would be too high in the sky to indicate a particular town or house, but this has not prevented astronomers from seeking a real-life astronomical event that could have coincided with Christ's nativity.

Some believers in the literal truth of Matthew's nativity story have dismissed astronomy altogether and claimed the Bethlehem star was a one-time miracle. Others have pointed out that the Greek word used, anatole, means star rising, suggesting the possibility that the Bethlehem star was actually a planet. Around 2 or 3 B.C. there were several pairings of planets such as Venus and Jupiter that would have produced great visual interest for astronomers such as the Magi. However, the death of King Herod is set at around 4 or 5 B.C., which would disrupt the continuity of Matthew's nativity story.

Spiritual Symbols
Whatever their number or origin, the Three Kings have become a fundamental part of traditional outdoor nativity scenes. They can be seen as eternal spiritual symbols, or as a mysterious complement to the gospel of Luke's more detailed nativity story. Having endured in our memory, the Three Wise Men certainly deserve their place alongside the holy family.