We Three Kings

When the Christmas season reaches the feast of the Epiphany, "We Three Kings" is the carol we naturally reach for. It tells the story of the Magi following the star to Bethlehem, but what makes it so special for a choir to sing is how it gives each of the three gifts its own distinct moment. The verses walk us through the gold of kingship, the incense of worship, and the myrrh that points toward the cross, before the final verse bursts into a glorious Easter alleluia.

Singing this piece, you can feel the steady, walking rhythm of a long journey in the verses. Then, as we hit the refrain—"O Star of wonder, star of light"—the mood lifts completely. It is a wonderful moment for the congregation to join in. The contrast between the solemn, almost mysterious verses and the bright, hopeful chorus captures exactly what it means to walk through the dark guided by the light of Christ.