Three Kings Day

Astronomers are people who study the stars. According to a story in the Bible, three astronomers saw a strange star in the heavens more than 2000 years ago. They got together and decided to study the star even closer. Because they were men of science, they were called wise men. Some even believed that their knowledge of the heavens must be magical. That is why they were called Magi, men of magic.

These Magi believed that the star they saw was a sign that a new king had been born. They took gifts of gold, frankincense, and myhrr with them on their journey. They wanted to be prepared to offer these magnificent gifts when they found the new king.

The Magi traveled like men of great wealth. The people who saw them decided that they must be kings of a foreign country. The men traveled to Bethlehem because they believed the star led them there. They met the king of the land, King Herod, on the way. He told the wise men that he wanted them to see him again when they found the new king. He said he wanted to worship him also. When they arrived in Bethlehem, they found shepherds worshiping the new baby. The shepherds told the kings that angels had told them that this baby was the Son of God. The Magi presented their gifts to the child. Each of the gifts would help the child grow spiritually and physically.