Introduction
As we approach the festive celebration tomorrow, steeped in splendor and monarchy, where we will consume crowns disguised as sweet bread rolls, I will share with you, dear reader, an intriguing story about the Three Wise Men.
Origins of the Magi
According to legend, the world first saw the image of the Three Wise Men in the church of San Apolinar in Ravenna, Italy. There, a mid-sixth-century mosaic depicted a procession led by three figures dressed in Persian fashion, wearing Frigian hats and carrying offerings to the Virgin Mary seated on a throne with the infant Jesus at her left knee. Above their heads, one could read the names Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar from right to left.
However, for a verified account, we turn to the Gospel according to St. Matthew (Chapter 2, verses 1-12). It recounts how magi arrived in Bethlehem to worship and present gifts to the newly born Messiah, having successfully evaded King Herod, the notorious and savage infanticide of ancient history. Matthew, however, does not provide details about the origin or royal status of these unique trio members. Consequently, many authors believe that the evangelist, writing for a captive audience, employed the monarchical metaphor as a rhetorical device to assert Jesus’ divine nature and his character as the Messiah, deserving of royal honors.
Later, holy scribes and engaging chroniclers embellished the story of these characters: three generous kings guided to Bethlehem by a star. (Times when astronomy seemed like magic, no one sang Christmas carols or discussed geopolitics).
Names and Appearance
Investigations further confirmed that even their original names could not be definitively established. The three names that have reached us in Western tradition are Appellicon, Amerín, and Damascón (in Greek) and Magalath, Galgalath, and Serakin (in Hebrew).
Their appearance is also a subject of debate. According to legend, this was an invention by Bedas, a 16th-century Benedictine monk, who described Melchior as an elderly man with white hair and beard of the same color; Caspar as a younger, fair-haired man; and Balthazar as a black man. This may have been an attempt to portray them as representatives of Europe, Asia, and Africa, thereby emphasizing Christ’s sovereignty over all races and regions.
The Church, in its liturgy, attributed the words to the Magi: “Kings from Tarshish and the isles shall bring presents; kings of Arabia and Sheba shall offer gifts. All kings on earth shall worship Him.”
The Tradition of Giving Gifts
As you can see, the custom of giving gifts to children on this day is as ancient and biblical as the story itself, a near-theatrical representation where children are likened to the infant God and parents become magi, as they rule their homes while striving to secure sometimes more elusive gifts than the triple package of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
John Gay, a medieval English writer, emphasized the importance of nurturing children’s minds. He believed that the most valuable gift was not a sweet or toy but fostering their conscience. (Tell that to a child eagerly awaiting the Three Kings’ Day, and you’ll see what an unconscious mind is like).
The Long Journey
Historically, the Magi came from somewhere in the Parthian Empire, likely crossing the desert between the Euphrates and Syria, traveling to Aleppo and then turning south towards what is now the Grand Hajj route to Mecca. They continued across the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River, eventually crossing a ford near Jericho to reach Bethlehem. There, they placed their gifts in a box and read all the letters tied to balloons collected from city mailboxes, eventually reaching us.
The symbolism of this journey speaks to the efforts and determination of travelers, much like your own climb up the steep slope of January to please your saints.
The Magi’s Fate
Matthew only mentions that the Magi returned home by another route. Pious tradition claims they became disciples of St. Thomas, while others say they were ordained as bishops and many were martyred by the year 70. Regardless of their final destinations, their mission having been accomplished, matters little, does it not, dear reader?
