St Matthew in the New Testament mentions the Three Wise Men, or Magi, who followed the star and welcomed Christ into the world. But little more is known of them, although historians and storytellers have filled us in on some of the details.In 735 A.D., St. Bede the Venerable gave us some clues.
The Oldest of the Magi was Melchoir, King of Arabia. he had a long gray beard and gave Gold as a gift, symbolizing the acceptance of Christ as King.
Balthazar, King of Ethiopia, was middle-aged, swarthy, bearded, and bearing the gift of Frankincense, symbolizing Christ as High Priest.
Finally, Caspar was King of Tarsus, in his twenties, He gave the gift of Myrrh, which was used in making medicines.
Symbolizing Christ as the healer and great physician.
The word "Magi" is the plural of "Magus", which orginally meant "great" or "illustrious." In ancient times, the Magi probably were not Kings, but rather priestly wisemen, trianed in the occult arts. They were advisors to Persian monarchs and could divine by means of astrology.
After discovering and honoring the Saviour, the Magi returned home and surrendered their high positions, gave their property to the poor, and went to spread the Gospel. The Apostle St. Thomas is said to have baptised them forty years later in India, ordaining them as Priests. They later were persecuted and martyred as Bishops, their bones resting in the Mosque of St. Sophia in Constantinople. During theFirst Crusade these bones were moved to the Catherdral in Milan until 1164, when they finally ended up in the Cologne Catherdral, where they rest to this day.
Because of the mystique surrounding them and because they were the first gift givers to the Prince of Peace, they have been immortalized in works depicting the "Adoration of the Magi" by some of the great masters
One of the interesting legends that has grown around their story is that of La Befana, an old woman. She was visited by the Wise Men on their way to Jesus, but she was too busy sweeping her house to go along. She asked them to wait until she was finished, but when she later tried to find them, they were already gone. Since them, she has traveled the world, looking for the Christ Child. In Italy, she travels around on her broomstick every January 6th, the anniversary of the "Epiphany" (the bodily manifestation of Christ to the Magi). Even her name comes from the word "Epiphany". In a sense, she is the Italian Santa Clause, and leaves gifts in each home in the hope that therein lives Jesus. La Befana also appears in Russian traditions, under the name "Baboushka."
The story of the Wise Men was given much publicity when, on Christmas Eve 1951, "Amahl and the Night Visitors" appeared on national television. Since then, this opera by Gian Carol Menotti has become a regular feature of the Christmas season, telling the tale of the Three Kings and how a young crippled shepherd miraculously walks again;
They were at the beginning of the
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