Advent Devotional: December 7

Written in 1857, "We Three Kings of Orient Are" became the first widely known Christmas hymn written in America. John Henry Hopkins was serving at his church in Williamsport, PA, when he was called upon to write a song for a Christmas pageant in New York City. Based on Matthew 2, the hymn has many allusions to OT prophecies regarding "magis" or "kings" from the east bringing gifts of gold and frankincense to celebrate the birth of the promised righteous King of David (cf. Isa 60:6; Ps 72:10, 15).

Of course, the Scriptures don't tell us exactly how many magi there were - only that there were three gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh - and even if there were three "kings," they certainly would not have traveled alone. Even so, since the above passages in Isaiah and the Psalms mention camels coming from the three nations of Tarshish, Arabia (Sheba), and Seba, bringing gold, frankincense, and other gifts to celebrate the arrival of the King of kings, many believe there were three original magi who came to worship the Christ when they saw His star in/from the east (or Orient). But were they kings? Possibly... again, the Scriptures don't say, and historically, all Medo-Persian kings were magi, though not all magi were kings. What is fascinating, though (and encouraging), is not trying to figure out how many magi there were or whether or not they were royalty. It is that they knew to be looking for a star (and what it meant when they saw it) in the first place! Apparently, after Daniel was appointed the chief prefect over all the wise men in Babylon (cf. Dan 2:48), he became highly regarded. It was apparent to all that he worshiped the only true God, and many wise men must have come to know Him. It was this testimony that must have been passed down from generation to generation until the time the Messiah would be born. How surprised they must have been to arrive in Jerusalem, of all places, where it seemed no one else knew of the Messiah's birth!