magus

magus - n - A member of the Zoroastrian priestly caste of the Medes and Persians; In the New Testament, one of the wise men from the East, traditionally held to be three, who traveled to Bethlehem to pay homage to the infant Jesus; A sorcerer; a magician.

The three magi are an integral part of the Christmas story. Guided by a star they came to Bethlehem bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh for the newborn King. I miss them as I miss the rest of the Nativity stories and songs that were not so long ago associated with what has now become a generic winter holiday. Jingle Bells and Frosty the Snowman are still acceptable, but Silent Night and O Come All Ye Faithful have been banished from the airwaves. I find it interesting that the last-named song was commonly sung in Latin (Adeste Fideles), at least in the New York metropolitan area where I grew up. As for the three magi, they have a Christmas carol of their own:

We three kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.

(Refrain)
O star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign.

(Refrain)

Frankincense to offer have I;
Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, voices raising,
Worshipping God on high.

(Refrain)

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone cold tomb.

(Refrain)

Glorious now behold Him arise;
King and God and sacrifice;
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Sounds through the earth and skies.

(Refrain)