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A reenactment of the historic visit of The Three Kings (Los Tres Reyes Magos) will take place on historic Olvera Street near Downtown Los Angeles on the evening of January 6. The celebration of the Feast of Epiphany, free to the public, will be complete with music, costumes, and a colorful procession of The Three Wise Men along Olvera Street.
 According to the story, Melchior, Casper and Balthasar, who have been known throughout history as the wise men, the three kings, and the magicians, although they were actually astronomers, saw a star in the east over the town of Bethlehem. They traveled to Bethlehem, and along the way in Judea they saw King Herod and informed him they were journeying to greet the Messiah. Herod told them to let him know where the Messiah had been born.
The men found the baby in a manger, and they offered him three gifts: gold, representing spiritual wealth; frankincense, signifying the earth and the sky; and myrrh, a balm used for medicinal and spiritual purposes. After their visit, an angel warned them that they should not tell Herod about Jesus because his plan was to kill the baby. So the three men wisely took a different path. Meanwhile, Jesus, Mary and Joseph escaped to Egypt.
The Feast of Epiphany is celebrated on January 6, the twelfth day after December 25, symbolizing the end of the 12 days of Christmas. Eastern Orthodox Christians have historically celebrated Christmas on January 6.
“We Three Kings”
(A Christmas Song)
We three kings of orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.
Oh, star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright.
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide with thy perfect light.
Born a King on Bethlehem's plain,
Gold I bring to crown him again
King for ever, ceasing never over us all to reign. .....
Frankincense to offer have I, incense owns a Deity nigh
Pray'r and praising, all men raising,
Worship him, God most high, oh.....
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom.
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone cold tomb.
Glorious now behold him arise, king and God and sacrifice
Alleluia, alleluia, heaven to earth replies. ....
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