"Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him" (Matthew 2:2).

Star of wonder, star of night,
star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding,
guide us to thy perfect light.[1]

The annual observance of the birth of our Savior is almost over - Epiphany, recalling the visit of the wise men, is commemorated on January 6 and ends the liturgical celebration following the "Twelve Days of Christmas." No gifts of turtle doves, French hens, or partridges in pear trees; rather the more traditional gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Lots of legends have grown up around this story of the three kings, one of which is that they were "three kings." The gospel account does not say there were three of them or five or ten or th…