“We Three Kings of Orient Are,” WOV 646
1 We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.
Refrain
Oh, star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright;
Westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light!
2 Born a king on Bethlehem’s plain, gold I bring to crown him again;
King forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign.
Refrain
3 Frankincense to offer have I; incense owns a deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, gladly raising, worshipping God Most High.
Refrain
4 Myrrh is min, its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
Refrain
5 Glorious now behold him arise, King and God and Sacrifice;
Heav’n sings alleluia: alleluia the earth replies.
Refrain
Devotion
It was a prime role, being one of the kings in the Sunday School Christmas play. You got to wear an aluminum foil crown, your face was smudged with burnt cork and you carried a cigar box with precious gems glued to it. It wasn’t silly like being a sheep, but stately, serious business--so we were taught.
God chose to reveal the birth of the king to people outside Jewish society and scholarship. God knew, we were taught, that God’s own people wouldn’t understand or accept the Messiah as he was. Maybe these three kings, these wise men, didn’t comprehend what kind of king the child would become either. I doubt if we’ve got it right yet. I’m trying to prepare myself for stupendous surprises when all the veils are removed and the truth is made known, providing God thinks we can handle the truth.
Prayer
Lord, let us humbly bend the knee and pay homage as the ancient ones did and as children still do in Christmas plays. We offer you the gift of our hearts, the treasure of our souls you already possess, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.