Everyone has heard of the Three Magi; they remain very much a part of our lives today: for example, in the form of the carol singers who ring doorbells year after year, collect donations and leave a blessing in return; in Cologne Cathedral, where the majestic golden shrine containing the relics of the three wise men attracts thousands of pilgrims every year; and in some German states, where employees can enjoy a day off on Epiphany.
Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar were astrologers who, according to biblical accounts, set out from the East to welcome the infant Jesus in Bethlehem. They were not given their names until the sixth century, and it is also unclear whether they were actually traveling as a group of three or with an even larger party. The trio we know today, however, ultimately prevailed.
Apparently, the three men had observed a special phenomenon in the sky—a comet, a nova or a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn? According to the understanding of the time, this would have suggested an impending event of historic proportions, and the three men presumably wanted to investigate it. They came from Babylon, the center of astrological interpretation at the time, and set out from there for Judea. Their journey took them across rugged mountain ranges, through the Syrian Desert and onward to Damascus. From there, caravans regularly traveled to Jerusalem, and they probably joined one of them; this also meant crossing the Jordan Valley. From Jerusalem, it was only a few more kilometers to Bethlehem, where the three travelers finally encountered the Holy Family. Jesus was probably about ten months old at that point.
So the three wise men had covered around a thousand kilometers, completing a journey of several months on foot over unpaved paths and through desert terrain. Has anyone ever wondered what kind of shoes could get you through such an arduous trek? In antiquity, they would most likely have worn open sandals with leather soles, or perhaps closed shoes padded with hay. We can count ourselves lucky to have access to the most modern BÄR hiking shoes: sturdy, comfortable, soothing and well padded! You will find a perfect selection of hiking and sports shoes in our range.
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We wish you a pleasant journey into the new year!
