We Three Kings of Orient Are
Choir of St. Mary Lyrics

The opening verse introduces the three wise men or kings from the East who are embarking on a journey to Bethlehem following a guiding star. The imagery of traversing various terrains such as fields, fountains, moors, and mountains gives a sense of the vast distance they are willing to travel to reach their destination. The mention of the star as a symbol of wonder and beauty, leading them westward towards a perfect light, adds a mystical element to their quest. This journey can also be seen as a metaphorical pursuit of spiritual enlightenment and divine guidance.

The second stanza delves into the gifts that each king brings to the newborn King in Bethlehem. The first king brings gold to crown Him, symbolizing the recognition of Jesus as a king whose reign is eternal and unending. This gesture signifies the royal status and sovereignty they acknowledge in the newborn King. The second king offers frankincense, a precious incense used in religious ceremonies, to signify the deity or divine nature of the infant they have come to worship. By presenting this gift, they acknowledge Jesus as a holy figure worthy of prayer, praise, and adoration.

The third king presents myrrh, a bitter perfume associated with burial rites and symbolic of the suffering and mortality of Jesus. This gift foreshadows the sorrow, sacrifice, and eventual death that Jesus will face, emphasizing the somber and grim aspects of his future. The imagery of myrrh evokes a sense of foreboding and darkness, hinting at the trials and tribulations that lie ahead for the infant who will grow to become the sacrificial King and Savior.

The final stanza elevates the scene to a moment of glory and reverence as Jesus is hailed as the risen King, God, and Sacrifice. The heavenly choir sings ‘Alleluia’ in celebration of the divine incarnation and salvation brought by Jesus, and the earth responds in kind. This culminating moment encapsulates the central themes of the Christian faith - the recognition of Jesus as both divine and human, the acknowledgment of his sacrificial role in redemption, and the joyous exaltation of his victory over death and sin. The hymn beautifully weaves together imagery of journey, gifts, sacrifice, and divine adoration to convey the profound significance of the birth of Christ.