Virtual Nativity - Adoration of the Magi

Adoration of the Magi

A panel from a Roman 4th century sarcophagus from the cemetery of Saint Agnes in Rome.

Miniature of the Adoration of the Magi

for the Feast of the Epiphany from the Benedictional of Æthelwold, c. 963-984, British Library

“When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
Matthew 2.9-11

The Bible speaks of Magi, or Wise Men, who present Christ with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. However, the number of Magi is not mentioned; most western Christian denominations have traditionally assumed them as three in number, based on the statement that they brought three gifts. Their identification as kings is probably linked to Isaiah 60.1-6, which refers to “kings [coming] to the brightness of your dawn” bearing “gold and frankincense”. Further identification of the magi with kings may be due to Psalm 72.11, “All kings shall fall down before him”.

Another source stems from the interpretation of Psalm 71.10-11 (according to Vulgate reckoning). Here is the relevant Latin passage from the twelfth century Eadwine Psalter, along with its Old English gloss:

“Kininges 7 iglonde of tarsis læc brohton. Kininges of Arabe 7 Feredæ giefa to geledæþ. 7 gebiddaþ hine eællæ kininges of eorðæn. Eællæ diodæ þeowigæþ him.”

[The kings and the island of Tharsis brought treasure. Kings of Arabia and Saba bring gifts and all kings of earth worship him. All nations serve him.]

A miniature entitled ‘The Adoration of the Magi’, is one of many contained in the Benedictional of St Æthelwold which contains special prayers for use by the Bishop when pronouncing a blessing over his congregation at mass. The text is written in Latin.

The manuscript was made for the personal use of Æthelwold, Bishop of Winchester from 963 to 984, one of the leaders of the late tenth century monastic revival in England, and is an outstanding masterpiece of Anglo-Saxon book painting.

Return