christmas

[loopy lass]

can anyone help with the following question please?

1) The Three wIse men gave 3 gifts to the baby Jesus, but what four gifts are they said to have received in return?

any help much appreciated LL

[Octavius]

Caspar received the gifts of charity and spiritual wealth.

Melchior received the gifts of humility and truth.

Balthasar received the gift of Faith.

[loopy lass]

thanks Octavius excellent answer, but do you think that would class as one gift each making 3 or 5 seperate things? LL

[123everton]

If someone gives me the gifts of faith etc. for Christmas then I'm taking the X-box back with me!

[Octavius]

Unless of course Faith and Charity were very attractive young village women. I think Melchiot got the equivalent of the novelty rudolph socks.

[chakka35]

Here's Octavius trying to give you false information again.

We have it from their own lips that the kings are called Ov, Orri and Tah. You must have heard their theme song:

"We three kings, Ov, Orri 'n' Tah..."

[naomi24]

As far as I know, there's nothing in the bible to suggest the three wise men received anything in return. We're not even told that there were only three wise men - simply three gifts - so the number of visitors is just an assumption (no pun intended). There may have been a whole hoard of them. We just don't know. The only gospel that mentions them is that of Matthew, and he states specifically that they came from the east. However, some legends say that they not only received the gifts Octavius mentions, but also that one of them came from Europe. Legend also gives us their names, none of which are mentioned in the bible. That's legend for you. Not to be entirely trusted.

[loopy lass]

thanks all for the serious and not so serious answers. will let you know when i find out the official answer. LL