THIS ETCHING:
The Magi - Their gifts that Light adore” measures approximately L 18 inches x W 11.75 inches x D 3/4 inches. A stunning image! The Holy Family, the three wise men and the beautiful Star of Bethlehem! Warm golden amber on red finish - resembles a vintage Christmas card. A wonderful addition to any family Christmas collection.
BACKGROUND:In Christian tradition, the Star of Bethlehem, also called the Christmas Star, revealed the birth of Jesus to the Biblical Magi, and later led them to Bethlehem. The star appears only in the nativity story of the Gospel of Matthew, where astrologers from the east are inspired by the star to travel to Jerusalem. There they meet King Herod of Judea, and ask where the king of the Jews had been born. Herod, following a verse from the Book of Micah interpreted as a prophecy, directs them to Bethlehem, to the south of Jerusalem. The star leads them to Jesus' home in the town, where they worship him and give him gifts. The wise men are then given a divine warning not to return to Herod so they return home by a different route.
The Magi, also referred to as the (Three) Wise Men or (Three) Kings were, in the Gospel of Matthew and Christian tradition, a group of distinguished foreigners who visited Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They are regular figures in traditional accounts of the nativity celebrations of Christmas and are an important part of Christian tradition.
According to Matthew, the only one of the four Canonical gospels to mention the Magi, they came "from the east" to worship the "king of the Jews".[2] Although the account does not mention the number of people "they" or "the Magi" refers to, the three gifts has led to the widespread assumption that there were three men
The New Testament does not give the names of the Magi, however, traditions and legends identify a variety of different names for them.[12] In the Western Christian church they have been all regarded as saints and are commonly known as:
Melchior a Persian scholar;
Caspar (also Gaspar, Jaspar, Jaspas, Gathaspa and other variations), an Indian scholar; and
Balthazar a Babylonian scholar.
The inscription is from the opening stanza of the hymn - Crudelis Herodes, Deum or O Cruel Herod! Why Thus Fear
O Cruel Herod! why thus fear
Thy King and God, who comes below !
No earthly crown comes He to take,
Who heavenly kingdoms doth bestow.The wiser Magi see the star,
And follow as it leads before;
By its pure ray they seek the Light,
And with their gifts that Light adore.Source -Rev. Edward Caswall, Lyra Catholica- containing all the hymns of the Roman Breviary and Missal (New York- G. Dunigan And Brother, 1851), p. 99
Soli Deo Gloria LASERCraft sells only the highest quality items with new ones added regularly! We invite you to browse through our collection at your leisure and to check back with us often. Please contact me with questions and ideas for a special gift!Please Note: Pictures shown may not be the same piece you receive - wood grains, etched details, and patina may vary slightly from piece to piece.
Wikipedia contributors. "Biblical Magi." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 29 Nov. 2015. Web. 2 Dec. 2015.Wikipedia contributors. "Star of Bethlehem." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 29 Nov. 2015. Web. 2 Dec. 2015.
http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/o_cruel_herod_why_thus_fear.htm