Three Kings

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

THE BABY JESUS HAD THREE ROYAL VISITORS FROM THE EAST TO PAY HOMAGE TO THE KING OF KINGS.  They are:

Melchior, a Persian scholar and the eldest of the three.  He was an expert in astrology who first identified the bright mystical star in the westerly sky.

Balthasar, an Arabian scholar and a student under Melchior.

Casper (Gaspar), an Indian scholar and the youngest of the three by many years.

Casper was dilly-dallying in joining the three-month journey on a camel as he was living the good life but was finally convinced by Melchior.  It's definitely not by texting or by the internet but by that guiding star.  According to Melchior's parchment map, the bright light was pointing towards Jerusalem.  They finally reached Jerusalem, the three princes in fine robes, and  was announced by the Roman Captain to King Herod, the provincial governor.   They told him they came to join in the celebration of the new King of the Jews.  Herod told them he had no knowledge of such event.  They were probably surprised, maybe even disappointed, but continued in their search and journey.  Finally, after going from cave to cave in the village of Bethlehem they were led to an awesome sight, a babe in white swaddling clothe laying in a manger.  Casper was the first one to move and kneel down saying, "My Lord and my God."  All knelt down in silence.  Again it was Casper who moved and took some containers, bearing birthday gifts for they came prepared:

Casper said, "Gold my Lord so that you may never need for anything."

Melchior said, "Frankincense so that you may smell like a King, my Lord."

Balthasar whispered in the Baby Jesus ear, "Myrrh for your anointment sire, when your dead comes as the stars have further foretold."

The bones of the Three Magi were taken by Queen Helena from Hagia Sofia and finally brought to Germany by King Frederick of the Holy Roman Empire.  The receptacle is on display at Cologne Cathedral.

                                                 The Church of Nativity in Bethlehem

Pilgrims who paid homage more than 2,000 years later

Thought for this month:

Do you know why God created gaps between fingers?

So that someone who is special to you comes and fills those gaps by holding your hand forever.

Touch the hand of Baby Jesus

Published 1/6/13  ust1611 blogspot

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The Feast of the Epiphany perhaps started in the second century in the Eastern Christian Church in Palestine, with special services being held along the Jordan River.  St. Clement of Alexandria made the first recorded reference to the Epiphany.  It was established in the mid-fourth century in the Eastern Church, originally celebrating the birth of Jesus, the visitation of the Magi, the baptism in the River Jordan and the miracle at Cana.  The celebration eventually  spread through the Western Church into Italy, North Africa and France.  The Feast officially became part of the Roman calendar in the eight century. Updated 1/5/14

Whatever happened to the Gifts of the Magi?  It's believed Mary gave the relics to the church in Jerusalem before her dormition, where they remained until 400 A.D.  After a hectic century they eventually reposed in the Monastery of St. Paul at Mount Athos in Greece, their home ever since.

Another source says the remaining gold is in the form of 28 pieces of engraved coins, " of various shapes and complex artistry."  The frankincense and myrrh are in the form of 62 beads, each the size of a small olive.  The holy relics will be on display from January 7 - 30, 2014 in various sites in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine celebrating Orthodox Christmastide.  Updated 1/19/14  

Mt. Athos,  Greece