There are three Wisemen in every nativity and three kids dressed up, complete with crowns and gifts in most Christmas plays. This carol may be the primary reason for this tradition. John Henry Hopkins, Jr was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He went to school in New York. Following his schooling, Hopkins worked as a journalist, a lawyer, and a music teacher.
Hopkins wrote the carol around 1857, based on the narrative of the magi in Matthew 2:1-12. He wrote “We Three Kings” for a Christmas pageant held at the Theological Seminary in New York City where he taught music. Hopkins wrote both the lyrics and music to “We Three Kings” which was very uncommon for hymn writers of the day. “We Three Kings” was the first Christmas carol that originated from the United States to achieve widespread popularity. After teaching, Hopkins was Ordained and pastored a church in New York before returning to serve at Christ Church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania from 1876-1887.
Hopkins probably wrote the hymn with his nieces and nephews in mind. He traveled from New York to Vermont every Christmas, where his father, John H. Hopkins. Sr. was the long-time Episcopal Bishop for the State of Vermont. He always had a surprise for the youngsters at Christmas, and this year was no different. As usual, bachelor Uncle Henry did not disappoint the children. The family always had a dramatization of Matthew chapter 2, and the entire Christmas Story. The hymn was sung by the family and was so popular that by 1863 it had been published by Rev. Hopkins in his first collection of “Carols, Hymns, and Songs.”
Hopkins had various talents, he was a teacher, musician, lawyer, and pastor. God is so good at combining all of our talents, no matter how seemingly unrelated, to make a difference in His Kingdom. In tomorrow’s reading, we will find the Wisemen were also men with assorted interests and talents, uniquely combined to fit right into God’s unique plan for history! As you read the story of the magi in Matthew 2:1-6 and as you listen to the son We Three Kings, reflect on the talents God has given you and ask God how you can best use your unique set of skills to grow his Kingdom!
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”