The beloved Epiphany hymn” We Three Kings” was written by John Henry Hopkins, Jr. in 1857, while he was serving as the first music teacher at the newly founded General Theological Seminary in New York.   He wrote the hymn for a Christmas pageant which some sources say was for his nieces and nephews. He was an accomplished musician who served for five years at the Seminary. The hymn was not printed until 1863 in his Carols, Hymns and Song publication.

Following in the footsteps of his father John Henry Hopkins, who was the first Episcopal Bishop of Vermont, John Jr. had several varied occupations before his ordination. He received an A.B. from the University of Vermont and followed that with a master’s degree. He was an author, editor, illustrator, composer and skilled musician.

“We Three Kings” is one of my favorite seasonal hymns. While I have never ridden on a camel, the rhythm of the music gives me a sense of what it might feel like to be on a camel moving across the desert while following the star. What an adventure the men from the Orient had. Their appearance had been foretold for centuries, even down to the types of gifts that they would bring.

Can you imagine what it must have been like to study the stars for years and come to the decision that this star’s importance required leaving the comfort of your home and traveling a great distance to pay respects to a small unknown and unheralded child? What faith!

In five verses, the composer succinctly tells the Christ story-Child, King, Deity, Sacrifice and Savior. Hopkins was a leader in Episcopalian hymnody, however “We Three Kings of Orient Are” is his best-known hymn. This hymn tells of an important event for all of us. I am sure that we sing it at least once each year.

The journey of three men following the star, following the light, bringing gifts to the Christ Child represents the revelation of Christ as Savior to all the world, not just to the Jewish people. Let us rejoice and be glad for God who loves us unconditionally has given us His only begotten Son to “guide us to the Perfect Light.”

Happy Epiphany!

Terri