Art Notes

The visit of the three wise men bringing gifts to Bethlehem in honor of the birth of the Christ child is a story that has been told as part of the Christmas tradition since time immemorial. In spoken word and joyous song, players in holiday pageants recount the journey from the east of Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar to a humble manger surrounded by lowly animals and heavenly angels, laying under a divine star.

As a young boy, my Uncle Thom played Caspar in one such production. Wearing his bath robe, a beard made of brown yarn and a kitchen towel adored with plastic jewels, he sang “We Three Kings of Orient Are” with a gusto befitting a noble! My father played a shepherd in that show’s climatic nativity and was equally proud of his part, if not as ornately attired. These are the memories and traditions that bind families together and create larger communities based on good will and love for one another.

My hope is that the viewing of my newest painting, The Three Wisemen will not only become one of your favorite holiday traditions but will also be a source of year-round cheer that spills out as a gift to all you know. You too, can give a treasure as the three kings did so long ago. I toast to sharing the gift of Christmas joy all year long, and thank you all for sharing my adventures in art.

Key Points

• The Three Wisemen is the first release in Zac’s series Bible Stories II. Zac’s first series that captured Old Testament narratives, Bible Stories I, included Noah’s Ark, Jonah, Exodus, and Garden of Eden.
• The Three Wisemen shows the journey of the three Magi, Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar, to Jerusalem guided by the Star of Bethlehem to bring gifts the Holy Family – Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.
• As told in Matthew 2:1-12 the three wisemen brought treasures of gold, frankincense and myrrh to honor Jesus, the Newborn King. Although, King Herod sent them, they were warned in a dream not to return to him because of his jealous intentions.
• This is Zac’s first painting that tells part of the story of the Nativity. His previous Christmas Limited Edition releases, Santa’s North Pole and A Christmas Carol, capture some of the secular family traditions surrounding the Holiday season.