We Three Kings
How understanding its symbolism enriched me
I’ve always loved this time of the year. I love to see Christmas lights, to decorate the house and hang up stockings over the fireplace, to sing carols and drink mulled wine, to watch the old Christmas movies and open presents.
So, when I was teaching myself to play a keyboard, I decided to start with Christmas carols. The first one I learned was Jingle Bells, but the second one was We Three Kings. I sang it along with various church choirs during the season of Advent, but never really thought about the profound meaning behind it until recently.
As a Christian, this whole season is filled with both joy and reverence, and as when I really understood this carol, singing it became an act of worship.
The Meaning of We Three Kings
The carol shares part of the story of Jesus’ birth, focusing on the visit of the Magi and the gifts they bring to the newborn King.
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. — Matthew 2: 1–2
