The Three Kings(Magi) guided by a new star.
The 5th of January is regarded as the eve of the 12th day after Christmas Day, however modern practice regarded the 6th as the 12th day of Christmas. In Christianity, the 5th is when the three Kings also referred as the Magi (wise men) who were guided by a brilliant new star in the night sky, arrived from the east to visit and hail the new-born King Jesus at His birthplace, Bethlehem in Judea. The 6th of January is also known as Epiphany (from the Greek word meaning ‘manifestation’) where Jesus is revealed/manifested to the world through the visit of the Magi, as the Son of God.
The Three Kings(Magi) Epiphany
The Three Kings arriving at Bethlehem
The Three Kings arriving at Bethlehem
Before their arrival, the wise men came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
The three magi are known in the Western Christian church as;
- Melchior (also Melichior,Melchor), a Persian (modern-day Iran) scholar.
- Caspar (also Gaspar, Jaspar, Jaspas, Gathaspa, and other variations), an Indian scholar.
- Balthazar (also Balthasar, Balthassar, and Bithisarea), an Arabian scholar.
Having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, after their sojourn they left for their own country by another path.
The Three Kings depart for home
A shrine the the three Kings(Magi) is located behind the high altar of Cologne Cathedral, Germany.
The relics were the Magi were taken from Milan by Frederick Barbarossa, The Holy Roman Emperor and presented to the Archbishop of Cologne Rainald of Dassel in 1164 and to this day pilgrims travel to the Cathedral to visit the shrine.
The Three Ships
It is thought that the 1833 English Christmas hymn/carol, ‘I Saw Three Ships (come sailing in) on Christmas Day In The Morning‘ was inspired by the delivery of the relics to Cologne.
A superstition is that all Christmas decorations in the home etc., must be taken down by January 6th, otherwise bad luck will ensue.