CHRISTIANS have recently celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6 – one of the important occasions in the life of Jesus as a human being.

The birth of a baby brings great joy; people want to visit and see the little one and often bring presents, just like the Three Kings.

The word “Epiphany” means a manifestation or, in modern parlance, a lightbulb moment; specifically, the revealing of Jesus to non-Jews.

Jesus was born, lived and died a Jew but the Three Kings were Gentiles (i.e. not Jews), who had travelled a long distance from the east of the Holy Land specifically to visit Jesus and bring him gifts.

The kings or wise men were traditionally priests amongst the Persians and Babylonians and experts in the study of stars.

So, following a particular star was important to them as they were aware of the prophecy that it indicated the birth of a king in Israel.

Just as the star led the shepherds to the stable, it also led the kings – all seeking a saviour and to worship him.

Although there is little detail about their origin, tradition and art over the centuries depict them as Melchior - an old man with a long white beard and associated with Persia, who brings gold – a symbol of kingship; then Caspar as middle-aged with a reddish-brown beard and believed to be from India, who carries frankincense, representing God; and finally Balthasar as a young man, thought to have come from Arabia or Ethiopia and often depicted as Middle Eastern or African, who brings myrrh used to anoint a body after death.

All are precious items and represent Jesus’ journey from birth to death and to resurrection.

The message of the story is that Jesus is for everyone, irrespective of age, wealth, race, religion or origin.

The kings travelled in hope and with faith in the certainty that, no matter how far they travelled, they would find someone special.

When we seek him with sincere determination, like the kings, we will find him.

Julia Keep

St Austell Deanery