The Bible never actually says there were three kings who visited baby Jesus or even that they were kings at all. Matthew’s Gospel only mentions “Magi from the east” who followed a star and brought gifts. The number three came from the three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Centuries later, church traditions crowned them as kings, gave them names such as Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, and even tied them to different continents. By the Middle Ages, they had become such a part of Christmas lore that children across Europe began acting out “Three Kings” plays each Epiphany, keeping the story alive in song, costume, and candlelight.