It seems like an appropriate time of the year to remember this. I, like many, was raised Christian, and as a child, this was always my favourite among the carols, because it spoke of the one incident within the Bible that gave me hope about the idea that within the Christian context, the terms, "magus," and, "enemy of God," weren't necessarily synonymous. I knew before I was 10 years old that I was drawn to magic as a vocation, but I avoided doing anything practical for another 20 years due to the enormous guilt and pressure of others that I have wrestled with. Now, guilt or no, I feel that I have wasted too much time, have found that I can stand it no longer, and must try to begin to learn and to practice...but at times the guilt plagues me still.

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 in the east and have come to worship him."
-- Matthew 2:1-2, NIV

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