Sixteen Delectable Mountains

 

How much do you know about the wise men? The scriptures call them magi, suggesting they were learned in something beyond everyday fishermen, olive farmers and shepherds. In this case, it almost certainly means they studied the heavens. People didn’t call them ‘kings’ for about 200 years, likely because of Isaiah 60:3, which predicts the Messiah would be worshipped by kings. Nativities depict three of them, but scriptures never mention a specific number. They were gentiles, from somewhere east of Judea – perhaps Persia (modern-day Iran). The gifts they brought – gold, frankincense and myrrh – symbolized Christ’s status as King of kings and foreshadowed his sacrifice. The Epiphany or Three Kings Day is January 6 – the twelfth day after Christmas. But the magi most likely arrived when the Christ Child was a toddler. Why does all this matter? The magi are an example to all of us; we must all find our way to the Prince of Peace.