One Star, Three Kings, Rebecca Grabill, illustrated by Isabella Grott. Paraclete Press (ISBN: 9798893480122) 2025.

Summary: Imagining the journey of the Magi, blending scripture and history as they follow the star and seek the newborn King.

I love the idea of celebrating TWELVE days of Christmas after the preparation of Advent. And the twelfth day celebration is pretty special. Epiphany celebrates the manifestation of the child Jesus as the King the wise men or Magi had sought. But we know little more than they followed a star, coming from the east, sought counsel with Herod, were directed to Bethlehem, and were led to the place Jesus was staying by star, bringing treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh as they worshipped the child king. Then they returned a different way, warned not to go back to Herod. But we don’t know their names or number or where they came from more specifically. Tradition says there were three, to go along with the gifts, naming them Balthasar, Caspar, and Melchior.

Rebecca Grabill takes what we know from scripture and tradition and weaves a story that captures the significance of Epiphany. Balthasar is a prince whose father urges him to seek his star, for there he will find his treasure. By day he works with his people gathering the ‘tears” of myrrh and at night seeks the star. Finally, he leaves to seek what he has not yet found taking a precious gift.

On a boat, he meets Caspar, who speaks of hearing a star sing. Balthasar cannot but he joins Caspar in the quest. Then they arrive at the palace of old King Melchior. And Melchior remembers the stories of the prophet Daniel and ancient scripture. Together, they go to the ruins of Babel and there they spy a brilliant star. They follow it to Jerusalem where they meet Herod but no newborn king. Then they learn it is to Bethlehem they must go and the star leads them to the house.

They find mother and child, the King of kings. They bow and offer their gifts, a chest of gold from Melchior, frankincense from Caspar, and the myrrh Balthasar has gathered. Balthasar reminds us that myrrh is for weddings…and burials. Yet the givers realize that they have received the greatest gift but that the trasure is not for them alone but the whole world.

Woven through the re-telling of the story are “I Wonder” questions about biblical texts, legends and traditions, ideas about Gabriel, the nature of the star, and the origins of the magi. Finally, the book concludes with information of how Christians celebrate Epiphany around the world today. Isabella Grott’s colorful and detailed illustrations complement the written story. It is written for children kindergarten through third grade. Often children this age are in Christmas pageants and this is a great book to help them understand the story they are acting out.

And the story reminds all of us of the wonder of the manifestation of Jesus to the nations that is part of the Christmas story. No Christmastide celebration is complete without Epiphany. Likewise, this book completes the nativity stories and narratives of this season and will be a “gift” to your family!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.