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The Threefold Blessing
The third of the magi entered and bowed, not as common courtesy, but as before a mighty king.
Though the setting was humble, their appearance in foreign garb had caused quite a stir. They had of course travelled with their entourages, armies of servants, flatterers and followers left to wallow in second-hand and unearned splendour outside of Bethlehem.
Bedecked in silks and jewels, perfumed with fine fragrance, these nobles lent unspeakable quality to their setting, yet they had eyes only for the child. The parents made awkward obeisances, which were politely acknowledged, but unaccustomed as they were to the company of princes, they knew not what to say. How exotic were these three who had come from places God alone knew, how marvellous to behold the bright colours of their clothes, the elaborate sculpture of their beards, how daunting to speak before them.
And so it came to pass that the magi spoke first. One said, “In times of old, our kind went before the river kings, the pyramid-builders of the ancient Black Land. There we gave three blessings: life…”
“Prosperity,” intoned another, whose name was Melchior.
“Health,” said Balthazar, the third to speak. “In time we went before all kings,” he continued, “with gifts alike in kind.”
