Despite the lyrics of this favorite carol, the men who followed the star to see our Savior, were not kings. There may not have even been three of them.
They were wise men, astrologers, from the East. Not Jewish, not of Jesus' tribe.
Outsiders in every respect, called by God to be witness to the most wondrous gift of all.
We three kings of Orient are;
bearing gifts we traverse afar,
field and fountain, moor and mountain,
following yonder star.
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, gold I bring to crown him again, King forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign.
O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.
Frankincense to offer have I; incense owns a Deity nigh; prayer and praising, voices raising, worshiping God on high.
O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.
Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom; sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.
Glorious now behold him arise; King and God and sacrifice: Alleluia, Alleluia, sounds through the earth and skies.
O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.
(lyrics: John H Hopkins)
Comments