Songs of Christmas Sermon Series

We Three Kings by John Henry Hopkins, Jr.

We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.

[Refrain]

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, worshiping 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:

O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.

Everyone of us has probably seen a Christmas pageant where three young boys dress up as the three kings, complete with crowns and gifts, while the choir or congregation sings “We three kings”. This hymn is one of the earliest American contributions to songs of the season.

The author and composer, John Henry Hopkins, Jr. (1820-1891), was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He received his education at the University of Vermont and at General Theological Seminary in New York City, graduating in 1850. Hopkins then became the first church music instructor at General Theological Seminary and was the founding editor of the Church Journal (1853-1868). Through these positions he became recognized as a leading Episcopal church musician. Following his ordination in 1872, Hopkins served as rector of two parishes: Trinity Church in Plattsburg, New York (1872-1876) and Christ Church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania (1876-1887). Hopkins wrote the carol around 1857, based on the narrative of the journey of the magi in Matthew 2:1-12. It was first published in the author’s Carols, Hymns, and Songs (1863)

Matthew 2:1–12 NASB95

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ” Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

Who are the Magi?

Over the years there have been many questions as to who these magi were. Were they kings, astrologists, magicians, healers, etc. Christians have been trying to nail down their identity for millennia. As early as A.D. 200, Tertullian was laying out arguments that the Magi, while astrologers by trade, were considered kings. first-century naturalist Pliny the Elder wrote several chapters about the Magi wherein they sound more like something from a Harry Potter novel. He details their skill in magic arts—including pouring boiled earthworms in the ear to cure a toothache!

Scriptures that might give reason to call them kings or magi “Then the king said to the wise men who knew the times…the men next to him being…the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the king's face, and sat first in the kingdom” (Esther 1:13–14). These seven men—clearly magi—are also labeled “wise men” and “princes.” So, are the titles interchangeable? And what do they signify?

These visitors were like a blast from the Hebrews’ past. The book of Daniel chronicles how he and his companions spent 70 years exiled among magi in the East. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was in the habit of gathering the best and brightest from his vanquished foes into an advisory body of wise men, stargazers, and dreamers. When he captured Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, he added them to his menagerie of magi, “and in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters (Greek magi) in his whole kingdom” (Dan. 1:20). This might also explain the reason the magi came when they saw the star. According to Daniel 5 he was put in charge of these magi. It is very possible that while Daniel was overseeing these Magi, he taught them the prophecies about the coming Messiah, such as in Num. 24:7 ““Water will flow from his buckets, And his seed will be by many waters, And his king shall be higher than Agag, And his kingdom shall be exalted.”& Micah 5:2 ““But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.”” Quite possibly, they had been waiting on Jesus’ birth for a long time.

Those who subscribe to calling them kings often point to Ps. 72:10-11 “Let the kings of Tarshish and of the islands bring presents; The kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. And let all kings bow down before him, All nations serve him.” Isa. 60:10 ““Foreigners will build up your walls, And their kings will minister to you; For in My wrath I struck you, And in My favor I have had compassion on you.”

I am sorry to break your hearts this morning but the tradition of the names of the three kings Gaspar, Melchior, & Balthazar (western tradition) or Larvandad, Gushnasaph and Hormisdas (in the east), first came to be from an Armenian tradition in the late 8th century. In fact we don’t even know how many magi there were. Some of the earliest writings around these events state anywhere from three (number of gifts), to 7, or even 18+.

No matter how many magi came, or what you call them, there are three important points I want you to remember about this biblical account when you hear this Christmas carol.

They made a journey to seek and worship Jesus v. 2

v. 2 they made a journey from a long way seeking to worship Jesus. These wisemen were waiting looking and anticipating the coming of someone special. they were willing to make a long journey in order to find him. they were even willing to face what could have been a terrible meeting with king Herod in order to find him. What about you this morning are you seeking to worship Jesus? Are you making a spiritual journey this morning? Are you willing to open your heart and your mind to seek Jesus. Seek and you will find.

They rejoiced & worshiped Him v. 10-11

v. 10-11 they rejoiced and worshiped him. These days it almost seems as if we consider getting up and worshipping God a chore. I think we have lost the excitement of coming before the king and worshiping him. Its an incredible honor and we should not take it for granted. to worship is to prescribe honor and worth to Jesus. He alone is worthy of our adoration. Worship means to pay homage to, bowing down to. When we contemplate God there should be a sense of awe and wonder. We should bow down before him and pay homage to him. It’s about Him not us. Are you focused on Him this morning or yourself? Are you excited to pay homage to him and are you really worshiping him this morning?

They brought gifts v. 11

Some-days we can’t even offer Jesus a passing glance or a few minutes of our time. yet these three wisemen brought great gifts and laid them at Jesus feet and worshiped him. These gifts were expensive and I think represented some very important ideas of who Jesus was. Gold which symbolizes the fact that Jesus was the king of kings. Frankincense which was an expensive perfume or incense points us back to the time of the levitical priest hood helps us see Jesus divinity, and the unusual one Myrrh which is used as an embalming liquid. Which seems to be and allusion to the death of Jesus which points us Jesus humanity. What gifts are you bring to Jesus this morning? Are you bringing him your heart. Have you made Him king of your life. Is he God of your life and have you reflected on His death burial and resurrection? He left heaven and came in the form of a man to die on a cross for you! Are you bringing him your heart your mind, your hands to serve him, your life to honor him. These gifts that the magi brought demonstrated the level of sacrificial love and worship they had for this newborn King. What do your gifts demonstrate of your love and worship?

This morning if we can help you to know the king of kings who the magi came to worship please allow us the opportunity to share the Gospel with you. We so desperately want to share with you the plan of salvation and all scripture has to say regarding our Savior Jesus Christ. If you are in need of prayers this morning or need to repent of sin and get your life right with God please come while we stand and sing.