“In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ [ ] Then [Herod] sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’
When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another path.”
-Matthew 2:1–12
Wise Men from the East
The story of Jesus’ birth in the gospel of Matthew speaks of the wise men from the East who came to visit the newly born king of the Jews. Although the passage does not specify how many wise men came, they are often depicted as three because they bring three gifts: frankincense, myrrh, and gold.
These personages are often called the three kings or the three magi (priests), indicating their high and learned status in their countries of origin. There is evidence that the three magi understood the astrological significance of the star of Bethlehem as a symbol of the birth of the savior.
The three magi have become an important part of Christmas celebration and symbolism.
The Three Gifts
The gifts they bring are sacred substances fit for the cosmic event of the birth of the savior. Both frankincense and myrrh are rare and holy resins that are burned as incense to cleanse and bless the atmosphere, and have many healing properties. Gold is a precious metal that does not rust or corrode and has traditionally been associated with the incorruptible nature of the divine spirit.
From East to West, and West to East
The magi are each depicted as having different types of dress to indicate the far lands they traveled from.
The magi are ambassadors of the cultures of the East coming to the West to pay homage to the birth of the savior of the world. This represents the far Eastern cultures making contact with what became the cornerstone of Western civilization, (even though the part of the world where Jesus was born and died is now called the “Middle East”).
After encountering the child Jesus Christ the magi returned to their respective homelands, foreshadowing the spread of Christianity to all parts of the world.
Esoteric Understanding
Another level of understanding the three magi comes from excerpts from a lecture by esotericist Rudolph Steiner:
“Who are the Magi? They represent the Initiates of the three preceding races or epochs of culture, the Initiates of mankind up to the time of the coming of Christ, the Bringer of the Love that is free of egoism — the resurrected Osiris. Thus the Three Kings or Magi are representatives of the Lemurians, the Atlanteans and the Aryans. They bring the three offerings.
The European (Melchior) brings gold, the symbol of wisdom, of intelligence which comes to expression paramountly in the Fifth Root Race.
The offering of the Initiate representing the Fourth Root Race (Balthasar) is frankincense, connected with what was intrinsically characteristic of the Atlanteans.
In the language of esotericism, myrrh is the symbol of dying, of death. What is the meaning of dying and of resurrection, as exemplified in the resurrected Osiris?
I refer you here to words of Goethe: ‘So long as thou hast it not, this dying and becoming, thou’rt but a dull guest on the dark earth.’ Jacob Boehme expresses the same thought in the words: “He who dies not ere he dies, perishes when he dies.” Myrrh is the symbol of the dying of the lower life and the resurrection of the higher life. It is offered by the Initiate representing the Third Root Race (Lemurian).
By what are the Three Holy Kings guided, and whither are they led? They are guided by a Star to a grotto, a cave in Bethlehem. This is something that can be understood only by one who has knowledge of the so-called lower, or astral mysteries. To be led by a Star means nothing else than to see the soul itself as a Star. But when is the soul seen as a Star?
When a man can behold the soul as a radiant aura. But what kind of aura is so radiant that it can be a guide? There is the aura that glimmers with only a feeble light; such an aura cannot guide. There is a higher aura, that of the intelligence, which has, it is true, a flowing, up-surging light, but is not yet able to guide. But the bright aura, aglow with Budhi, is in very truth a Star, is a radiant guide.
In Christ, the Star of Budhi lights up — the Star which accompanies the evolution of mankind. The Light that shines before the Magi is the soul of Christ Himself. The Second Logos Himself shines before the Magi and over the cave in Bethlehem. The grotto or cave is the body wherein dwells the soul. The seer beholds the body from within. In astral vision, everything is reversed — for example, 365 instead of 563. The human body is seen as a cave, a hollow. In the body of Jesus shines the Christ Star, the soul of Christ.
This must be conceived as a reality, taking place in the astral world. It is an enactment of the Lesser Mysteries. There, in very truth, the Christ Soul shines as an auric Star, and it is by this Star that the Initiates of the three Root Races are led to Jesus in Bethlehem.
The Festival of the Three Kings is celebrated every year on the 6th of January, and its significance will steadily increase. Men will understand more and more what a Magi is, and what the great Magi, the Masters, are. And then understanding of Christianity will lead to understanding of spiritual science.”