The Syracuse Journal, Volume 29, Number 34, Syracuse, Kosciusko County, 24 December 1936 — Page 4

Editorial.

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HT IS RELATED in an old tale that out of the East came three men to pay splendid homage to the Savior. Some say these were three of the Magi, but another legend says these were three mighty kings. The first of the three kings was Melchior, King of Nubia, whose gift was gold; the second, Balthazar, King of Chaldea, who offered incense; and the third was Jasper, King of Tarshish, a man of giant stature and 'a black Ethiope’ whose gift was myrrh. For the gift of gold was in testimony of His royalty as King of the Jews;,the incense was a token of his divinity; but the offering of myrrh alluded to the sorrgws which in the humiliating condition of a man the Redeemer vouchsafed to take upon Him. The legend says these three kings rode before a gaily-caparisoned train of mules, camels and horses loaded with rich treasure, and guarded, by a mighty retinue of warders, glittering with gold and gems, and armed with bright weapons of Damascus steel. E For they had heard that He was bom who was to be Savior of the World and the King of Kings. And each of these three Kings left his throne that he might hasten to the tiny town of Bethlehem in Judea, there to lay gifts at His feet and worship. To them was given a bright star to guide them, and when they came to Bethlehem they sought out the place where He lay and knelt before Him. • And while the time-colored manuscripts are strangely silent on the point, theirs must have been an exaltation of spirit and a curious feeling of reverence as these grim rulers of many bowed their stiff necks in homage before the humble Child. ka» w « v ♦ Then when their mission was ended back to Tarshish and Chaldea and Nubia went the three, and each again ascended his throne there to meditate on what he had witnessed. For they had been privileged to see a wonder that was to encircle the world, bringing to troubled mankind a new hope, and a spirit of charity and humility and fair dealing. And perhaps they glimpsed dimly that we today would still follow the custom they established and that we would bear each other gifts in commemoration of their pilgrimage long ago. And that in so doing we would reawaken and rekindle within ourselves the loyalty they paid the Child at Bethlehem. ■ ft St Mvw is Now the origins of this story are lost in the mists of time, and we shall never know whether the three who came out of the East were the Magi or the three Kings. But today in Cologne Cathedral occasionally the heavy doors of a chapel are opened, the lamps are lighted illuminating a dazzling wealth of gilded and jeweled sculpture and a magnificent reliquary enriched with gems and enamels where sleep the three Kings, whom many believe once looked upon the Savior. • Newspaper Union

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