The Three Kings: Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar
In Christian tradition, the Magi were noble pilgrims from the East who followed a miraculous star to find the newborn Jesus. While the Bible doesn't specify there were exactly three, the number is traditionally tied to the three specific gifts they brought.
1. Melchior
Origin: Often depicted as coming from Persia or Europe.
The Gift: Gold.
Symbolism: Gold represents kingship and royalty on Earth. It acknowledged the child as a "King of Kings."
2. Caspar (or Gaspar)
Origin: Often depicted as coming from India or the Far East.
The Gift: Frankincense.
Symbolism: Frankincense is a resin used in incense for worship. It represents divinity and priesthood, acknowledging the child's spiritual nature.
3. Balthazar
Origin: Often depicted as coming from Arabia or Ethiopia (Africa).
The Gift: Myrrh.
Symbolism: Myrrh is a bitter oil used for embalming and burial. It represents humanity and foreshadowed the child’s future suffering and death.
Their Role in the Narrative
The Magi play a vital role in the story of the Nativity for several reasons:
The Seekers: They represent the "Gentiles" (non-Jewish people) recognizing the significance of the birth, suggesting the message was for the whole world.
The Star: They were skilled in astronomy/astrology, using the "Star of Bethlehem" as a navigational guide.
The Warning: After visiting the child, they were warned in a dream not to return to King Herod, who intended to harm the baby. This allowed the family to escape to Egypt
And ended by a Group Picture for the New Year
No comments:
Post a Comment