Doubting the ‘three kings’

By Herbert Vego

TODAY, January 6, marks the last day of the Christmas season. It is better known as the “Three Kings Feast” in celebration of the day the “three kings” paid a visit to the baby Jesus in the manger, supposedly as recorded in the gospel of Matthew.

Christians believe that the birth of Jesus coincided with the appearance of a “star” which led the magi or “wise men” to Jesus. This star “went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.” They offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

The Roman Catholic Church and the Philippine Independent Church (Aglipayan) attach symbolic importance to these gifts — the gold representing his royal standing; frankincense his divine birth; and myrrh his mortality.

The earliest reference to the “three kings” sprang from the song “We Three Kings of Orient Are,” which was written by Reverend John Henry Hopkins Jr. of the Episcopal Church while serving as music director of the General Theological Seminary in New York City in 1857.

However, there is no mention of Melchor, Gaspar and Balthazar as “three kings” from whatever places. Judging from its Biblical context, Herod might have thought of  the “wise men from the East” as astrologers.

Here’s why: Their “search” for Jesus began in compliance with the order of Israel’s King Herod, who wanted the child killed (see Matthew chapter 2). Contrary to popular belief, they did not arrive at the manger on the night of Christ’s birth; rather, they found the young Jesus and His parents living in a house – no longer in a manger. This could have been nearly two years after Christ’s birth, since Herod – fearful of a threat to his position as king –tried to have Jesus eliminated by killing all male children around two years old.

Moreover, it was only after the magi had met with Herod that the “bright star” shone, guided them to Bethlehem and hovered over the location of Jesus. The appearance of the miraculous “star” was probably the miracle that emboldened the “three kings” to disobey the order of Herod.

Hence, with their change of heart, they proceeded to see the child Jesus with no more evil motive. They never returned to Herod with “mission accomplished.”

No known natural phenomenon would be able to stand over Bethlehem since all “natural” stars seem to rise in the east and set in the west, or circle around the celestial poles. Being millions of light years away, stars could not pinpoint a specific earthly location.

Theologians try to defend the indefensible by arguing that “God works in mysterious ways”. For the same reason, they cite, the Virgin Birth itself was a supernatural event that could not be explained within the context of known natural laws.

Dr. Jason Lisle, an American astrophysics professor at the University of Colorado, has said in a lecture on the gospel of Matthew, chapter 2:

“The magi already knew that Christ was in Bethlehem. This they had learned from Herod, who had learned it from the priests and scribes. Whatever the exact mechanism, the fact that the star led the magi to Christ is evidence that the star was uniquely designed, made by God for a very special purpose. God can use extraordinary means for extraordinary purposes.”

It is easy for Christians to agree with the lecturer. After all,  “The heavens declare the glory of God. . .” (Psalm 19:1).

Strange as it seems, most Christians still propagate the notion that the magi were “three kings”.  But if they were, why would they be afraid of a fellow king, Herod of Israel?

-oOo-

POWER PILFERAGE COULD HAVE CAUSED CITY FIRE

THE Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) sees an unspecified “electric problem” as possible cause of the fire that gutted 26 coastal houses at Zone 3, Barangay Calumpang, Molo, Iloilo City.

“Kasubo gid ang Paskwa para ka namon,” said fire victim Robert Prandas. “Mga importante nga papeles namon sang asawa ko kag sang mga bata naubos gid sa sunog.”

It’s so sad to realize that there are still people in fire-prone communities who refuse to heed the warning of MORE Power against illegal connections for being dangerous to life and property.

Stolen electricity tends to overload power supply, thus leading to damage of electrical appliances and eventually fire outbreak. MORE Power President Roel Z. Castro has therefore been reminding paying customers to be wary of power pilferers.

Most power pilferages occur through meter tampering, bypassing meters, tapping neighbors’ power lines, using illegal lines after disconnection, and self-reconnection without consent.

Thieves may pay for the power they steal with their neighbors’ and their own lives. Thus, electricity theft makes power service less reliable and lower quality even for paying customers.

No less than Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas has warned power thieves to stop because he would apply the full force of the law on them.

Under Republic Act 7832 (Anti-Electricity Pilferage Act of 1994) stealing electricity is punishable up to 12 years imprisonment.