Also known as the Magi, the Three Wise Men or the Kings from the East, these men are believed to be Zoroastrian judicial astrologers from Ancient Persia.
The Gospel of Matthew states that they came "from the east to Jerusalem" to worship the Christ, "born King of the Jews."
According to Matthew, they navigated by following a star, which came to be known as the Star of Bethlehem. As they approached Jerusalem, Herod tried to trick them into revealing where Jesus was, so that he might be put to death.
Upon finding Jesus, the Magi gave him gifts, amongst which were three highly symbolic ones: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Because these three gifts were recorded, most believed there were three givers, and so it came to pass.
The Magi then warned in dreams that revealed Herod's deadly intentions for the child decided to return home by a different route in order to thwart him and his furious men. This prompted Herod to resort to killing all the young children in Bethlehem, an act called the Massacre of the Innocents, in an attempt to eliminate a rival heir to his throne. Jesus and his family had, however, escaped to Egypt beforehand.
The issue is not whether they are really kings, or, that they are really astrologers. What strikes me is the fact that they tricked Herod whose plan to kill his rival heir to this throne is at hand. What a change of course?
Let's play roles here. Since the Three Kings are conscious of the evil plan, they can be the people - or those who populate the land. Herod can be those in political powers as he was in his times. Jesus, the symbol of Christianity and the Church, can be our beloved country.
We all know that the Three Kings came to worship the "King born of the Jews." We have grown the tradition in faithful belief that Gaspar, Melchor, and Baltazar are the names of these Kings. The Kings, as in the olden times represent the vast majority with whom the people trust and for whose cause and welfare the Kings deliver and protect. Bringing with them three biblically recorded symbolic things: gold, frankincense, and myrrh, the Three Kings are the noble Filipinos whose innate power are entrusted to the representatives most of the time. To make our role playing interesting and meaningful, let us also interpret these gifts presented to the Baby Savior.
Gold: Gold is a mineral stone, a symbol of power; a picture of wealth; and expression of treasure. The Three Kings - the people is a symbolic expression of the wealth of the nation. In the case of our country, the people as one noted philosopher said is the wealth of the nation.
Frankincense: This is an aromatic gum or resin, often used as incense, especially in religious ceremonies. This can be extracted from an African Tree. Symbolically, this represents the religious and moral aspect of the people. As is often witnessed in various church activities, frankincense speaks about our moral values founded on the religious dictums of Christ.
Myrrh: Extracts from trees and shrubs from South African and Eastern Asian countries used in perfumes, and medicinal preparations. This is our health, our physical development.
Herod, on the other hand is the symbol of power and authority. As was in his times, he, being the Governor, is the modern-day politicians - the local officials, congressmen, senators, and even the Chief Executive Officer and her Cabinet. They promulgate laws; they do amend; they sometimes violate. These figures bring peril to the people and effectively to the land - the Philippines.
Jesus, our Land, whose passion was recorded as a mere machination of ill powers in the biblical times, is in danger. Jesus, among us Christians, suffers every time we commit sin. It is in sinning that our Savior is crucified. It is in sinning that we endanger the life of the Savior. It is in sinning that we endanger the life of the Republic.
Greed! Greed, as a cardinal sin, takes control of man's sanity over money, fame, and power. While these things are amongst the gifts from God, however, these are abused since time immemorial. Money distorts moral values: we give up our principled votes just for this. Fame destructively attracts even the holiest of men: we willfully lose our own noble identity to achieve recognition. Power rules! Even the powerless learns how to gain power through extreme abuse of it. This is our country where power is most of the time abused. Power endangers!
Yes, Jesus, our land is in danger. The Three Kings were aware of the impending danger; the people are aware of the imminent danger. Election time is fast approaching; its climate is clear and evident everywhere now. Soon, one Herod will approach and bribe you with his own gold, frankincense, and myrrh in exchange for a cast of sacred vote. Please, try to resist! There is more to life than the gold, frankincense, and myrrh of Herod. Think about the real gold, frankincense, and myrrh from the Three Kings of the East. For what profits a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul in the end.
We, the Three Kings - the Noble Filipino People can make a change. Thwart the impending peril this group of men called "Herod" is planning to undertake. We still can introduce change; we still can make change; we still can manage change. We still have time.
Change is power; change is powerful. Believe in the Power of Change. If the Three Kings did a change in the planned moves of Herod, we, the sovereign Filipino People can also do the same thing. Don't just watch; be an agent of change!
