The Three Kings on Epiphany

The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores
will bring tribute to him;
the kings of Sheba and Seba
will present him gifts
Psalms 72:10

January 6 is celebrated as the Feast of Epiphany, in keeping with the tradition that the Three Wise Men from the East arrived to worship the Baby Jesus on this day. It is called Epiphany to express the “appearing” of the Saviour to the Gentiles.

"The people that walked in darkness

have seen a great light:
they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death,
upon them hath the light shined.”
Isaiah 9:2

The wise men figures are usually the ones that are dressed in fabulous robes and head dress. More nativity scenes include these three figures than the shepherds. There are even designs of the three as a stand-alone artifacts. A new section of the nativity gallery is a display of wise men figurines and ornaments.

We see various materials -- plastic canvas, burlap and sequins,

Various sizes...

Various formats

Ornaments are hung on a lighted garland:

A small book in the collection is The Gifts of the Magi: Gold and Frankincense and Myrrh, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY.

In the slipcase along with the book are samples of the wise men's gifts:
Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh:

These precious gifts provided financial assistance as the Family had to flee to Egypt. But they also symbolized tribute to the long awaited Messiah from foreign lands:

The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores

will bring tribute to him;

the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts
Psalms 72:10 NIV

One of my Christmas gifts from my sister and brother-in-law was The Original Gifts of Christmas, a folder from the Holy Land Experience in Daytona, FL. Inside are samples of the three gifts.

They also sent me an ornament with the Wise Men and the Baby Jesus:

I have a particular fascination with the three wise men as part of the nativity story. I love to consider the Bible texts that show God’s interest in people from all parts of the world.

“ ‘Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth’ ”
Isa. 45: 22 NIV

For God so loved the world
that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish
but have eternal life
John 3:16 NIV

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,
and not only for ours
but also for the sins of the whole world.
1John 2:2 NIV

Here there is no Greek or Jew,
circumcised or uncircumcised,
barbarian, Scythian, slave or free,
but Christ is all, and is in all.
Colossians 3:11 NIV

The biggest news of the nativity story is that the Baby Jesus was sent to make an even playing field and to offer eternal success for any person who chooses Him as their Saviour.

For more Word-filled Wednesday posts, please go to Amy at The 160 Acre Wood.