Day 21 – We Three Kings of Orient Are
It’s amazing how much time and energy we spend to find “the perfect gift”? I personally love attempting to think of something unique Reen, my children, or friends might find delight in discovering under the Christmas tree. Showing affection through the giving of gifts is such an important part of Christmas.
Why? Because we are memorializing for all time God’s greatest gift to mankind… Jesus Christ. The gifts the Kings brought were to worship the newborn King. Yet often we forget that their gifts represented so much more than Jesus’ birth alone. The gifts foreshadowed His purpose in coming to earth to pay the penalty for our sin.
This carol hallmarks this truth in describing the gifts the wise men brought. First there is gold, the metal of kings. Its inherent value represents the pre-eminence of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Yet God’s glory is so far greater, I find it fascinating that gold is simply a road paving substance in heaven, small in value when compared with the greatness of our God.
John tells us of his vision of heaven in the Bible, “The angel came to me and said, ‘Come on! I will show you the one who will be the bride and wife of the Lamb.’ Then with the help of the Spirit, he took me to the top of a very high mountain. There he showed me the holy city of Jerusalem coming down from God in heaven. The glory of God made the city bright. It was dazzling and crystal clear like a precious jasper stone…The streets of the city were made of pure gold, clear as crystal.” (Revelation 21:10,11,21)
Frankincense is the next gift presented and represents God not only as King but as the high priest who intercedes for us with His Father. Priests in the Old Testament often used frankincense in their priestly duties when offering sacrifices to God. Jesus, as High Priest over all, literally became the ultimate sacrifice for us and lives to plead our case and act as our advocate before our Heavenly Father. We are told in the Bible book of Hebrews, “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (Hebrews 7:25)
Finally, the wise kings brought myrrh as a gift to Jesus. Myrrh was a spice used in the ancient world for embalming. It symbolized the death penalty Jesus would fulfill so that those who believe in His sacrifice, will receive the privilege of entering God’s perfect Heaven. Jesus, the Perfect One alone, could be the perfect sacrifice and be offered as the payment for sin…the sinless, spotless Lamb.
SO as we listen to today’s carol. Pause and reflect on how much Jesus Christ gave for you. The wise men recognized it, but do we? This year when we celebrate Christmas, let’s humble our hearts in awe, love, wonder, and worship. Let’s remember that the baby in the manger came to die so that we could spend eternity with Him, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Almighty God, forever and ever.
We three kings of Orient are;
bearing gifts we traverse afar,
field and fountain, moor and mountain,
following yonder star.
Refrain:
O star of wonder, star of light,
star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light.
Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain,
goldI bring to crown him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
over us all to reign. [Refrain]
Frankincenseto offer have I;
incense owns a Deity nigh;
prayer and praising, voices raising,
worshiping God on high. [Refrain]
Myrrhis 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]
“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11)
“Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’
He said to me: ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.’” (Revelation 21:1-6)
“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 22:1-6)
