We Three Kings of Orient Are (arr. J. Rutter): Three kings of Orient

"We Three Kings of Orient Are" was written in 1857 by Reverend John Henry Hopkins, Jr. An instructor of church music at the Episcopal General Theological Seminary in New York City, Hopkins composed the carol as part of an elaborate nativity drama he'd created for the seminary.

"We Three Kings" centers on the Magi, or Three Wise Men, who visited the baby Jesus in Bethlehem sometime after his Nativity, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 2. The second, third and fourth verses describe the symbolic nature of each of their three gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh presented to the Son of God. The chorus proclaims how a star guided the Magi on their long journey westwards. It invites the caroller to join them in following its light - "guide us to thy perfect light." The last verse looks forward to Christ's death and resurrection when the "King and God" sacrifices Himself on the Cross.

At first, "We Three Kings" was sung just within Hopkins' circle of family and friends. As it proved popular with them, Hopkins decided to publish the carol in his 1863 compilation Carols, Hymns, and Songs under the title "Three Kings of Orient." The collection was to be the first of several that established Hopkins as a leading composer of hymns in the Episcopal church.