Admin Who were Caspar Melchior and Balthazar?
Caspar (magus) Saint Caspar (otherwise known as Casper, Gaspar, Kaspar, and other variations) was one of the ‘Three Kings’, along with Melchior and Balthazar, representing the wise men or ‘Biblical Magi’ mentioned in the Bible in the Gospel of Matthew, verses 2:1-9.
Who is Melchor in the Bible?
Saint Melchior, or Melichior, was purportedly one of the Biblical Magi along with Caspar and Balthazar who visited the infant Jesus after he was born. Melchior was often referred to as the oldest member of the Magi. He was traditionally called the King of Persia and brought the gift of gold to Jesus.
What gift did Gaspar give Jesus?
frankincense
According to Western church tradition, Gaspar is often represented as a king of India and is usually said to have given the gift of frankincense to the Christ Child. In art he is frequently depicted with a reddish beard.
Where did the Three Wise Men’s names come from?
Later tellings of the story identified the magi by name and identified their lands of origin: Melchior hailed from Persia, Gaspar (also called “Caspar” or “Jaspar”) from India, and Balthazar from Arabia.
Who was Gaspar of India?
According to Biblical beliefs, Gondophares or ‘Caspar, the King of India’, was one of the three magi or the Wise Men of the East, who visited Jesus after his birth, with gifts.
Where did the names Balthasar, Melchior and Gaspar come from?
The names probably come from the tradition of the ancient king of Arabia (Bithisarea or Balthasar), king of Persia (Melichior or Melchior) and king of India (Gathaspa, Gaspar or Casper).
What to do with Gaspar, Melchior and Balthazar?
Allow the children to place Gaspar, Melchior and Balthazar in the scene as you tell the story. Here’s an activity you could do in the classroom as part of Puerto Rican tradition. Have children fill a shoe with “grass—you can use grass usually saved for Easter or that crumpled up paper found in the gift departments.
What was the gift of the Magi Balthasar?
If you are unfamiliar with Lectio Divina, check out Tim Gray’s very practical book, Praying Scripture for a Change. Frankincense was the gift presented by the magi Balthasar. It was the main ingredient for incense used in the biblical Temple, made from a dried resin drawn from the craggy trees of the Arabian Peninsula (the land of Mt. Sinai).
What was Melchior’s gift to the Holy Family?
Melchior is remembered as the bearer of gold, a treasure of great value, even today. I often think what a practical gift it must have been for the humble Holy Family who would soon be fleeing for their lives to a strange land (Matthew 2:13-15).