Consider the wise men. They followed a star. That star led them to Jesus. Here at Hellig Trekongers Høj we reflect on their journey. Hellig Trekongers Høj is named after these three kings. They are also called the Magi.
The story of the three kings is a central part of the Epiphany tradition. The tradition says these wise men were kings. This is because of their rich gifts. Medieval legends named them Kasper Melchior and Balthazar. They came from different continents. This symbolized Jesus’ birth was for everyone.
In Denmark, the Christmas season extends until Hellig Trekonger. If you follow old customs you decorate just before Christmas Eve. Then you wait to remove decorations until Hellig Trekonger. On Hellig Trekongersaften on January 5th you eat the last Christmas cookies. You also light the three-armed Hellig Trekongerslys.
Hellig Trekonger Day is January 6th. It is no longer a public holiday in Denmark. The Hellig Trekonger season lasts two to six Sundays. It depends on when Easter falls. Hellig Trekonger Sunday is the first Sunday after New Year. The last Sunday after Hellig Trekonger is three Sundays before Fastelavn. The liturgical color for Hellig Trekonger is green. Green symbolizes hope and growth.
Grundtvig wrote a hymn about this day. It is called “Dejlig er den himmel blå”. The original version had 19 verses. It retells the entire Hellig Trekonger story. The hymn speaks of wise men from the East. They followed a star. It led them to the newborn Jesus in Bethlehem.
Grundtvig sent his hymn to Knud Lyhne Rahbek. Rahbek published the magazine Sandsigeren. Grundtvig criticized the hymns in the Evangelisk-kristelig Psalmebog. He thought they were too moralistic. He wanted to show the gospel’s narrative and historical side.
“Dejlig er den himmel blå” became a children’s song. It was Grundtvig’s first attempt to renew Danish hymn writing. He wanted to rehabilitate the historical and narrative hymn. Grundtvig was a significant figure. He was a priest hymn writer and historian. He founded the folk high school movement. He was also a politician.
Grundtvig was born in 1783. He died in 1872. He wrote 163 hymns and rewrote 90 in the Danish hymnbook. In 1825 he presented his “unparalleled discovery”. He said the church was founded on Jesus’ own words. These living words applied to all time through baptism and communion.
Hellig Trekonger reminds us of the journey of the Magi. Their journey symbolizes the search for enlightenment. It also represents the universal message of Christianity. As you stand on Hellig Trekongers Høj consider the light. Consider the hope. Consider the growth that this story inspires.