Three kings
Only Matthew’s Gospel (2:1-12) tells us that some wise men, some astrologists from Orient, following the star, went to visit and greet Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem. The Gospel does not tell us how many of them there were. The later tradition spoke about three men, maybe because we were told that they offered Jesus three gifts. The Fathers of the Church saw these gifts as the symbols of Christ’s royalty - gold -, of His divinity - incense -, and of His passion and death - myrrh -. The kings’ adoration accomplishes the messianic oracles, especially Isaiah, who had announced the nations’ homage to the God of Israel.