Epiphany: Adoration of the Magi
By Rudy Arizala
In observance of Epiphany - Manifestation - attached is a photo depicting the Adoration of the Magi (Three Wise Men or Three Kings) who, guided by a Star, found where the new-born king saw the first light of day. According to the Holy Book, (Math 2:10-12), they presented the child with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Gold, because the new-born is the "King of all kings"; frankincense because He is Holy; and myrrh because He would suffer to save mankind from sin. Tradition or legend says the Three Wise Men or kings came from the East. But a Filipino Jesuit priest, Fr. Horacio de la Costa, in his poem "The Star of the Kings", affirm that they came from
Tondo, Binondo and Sampalok. Whey did he affirm that they came from Manila?
Quoted hereunder are pertinent stanzas of his poem:
THE STAR OF THE KINGS
By Fr. Horacio de la Costa, S.J.
I do not think the Three Wise Men
Were Persian Kings at all
I think it more likely they
Set sail out Manila Bay
To follow the starry call.
And though the good Abbe Fouard
May stare at me, and frown
I still maintain the Three Wise Kings
Were Kings of my hometown.
And if you ask why I affirm
That Melchor was king of Tondo
When Gaspar ruled Sampalok
And Baltazar Binondo.
We will not argue. We will walk
The streets on Christmas eve,
And I will show you the poor man's rafter
Where hangs the Star the Kings sought after
Hung high above Christian prayer and laughter
You will see it, and believe!
For when the Kings came home again
From Bethlehem afar,
They lost their camels in the sea
And they forgot the Christmas tree,
But they brought back to you and me
The secret of the Star.