December 15, 2024
Well, these nameless famous Wise Men did not bring little Jesus transformer toys, Lego kits, or a soccer ball. Instead: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
One aspect of God that I love is that He never wastes a detail, about anything. And certainly not about these first Christmas gifts for His Son.
About the gold…a beautiful precious metal mentioned often in Bible accounts. In the ancient world, gold was a sign of wealth and it was used to symbolize deities or create idol statues. For the Hebrew people, the Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with gold.
It represents kingship, an appropriate gift for the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. Some think that it may have helped Mary and Joseph with expenses, especially when they had to flee to Egypt from King Herod. (God is practical and can use unusual means to provide for His precious people, I think.)
And then there was the frankincense, used for incense in the worship of God. (See Exodus 30:34) Sometimes we forget that the three Wise Men bowed and worshipped young Jesus. Perhaps we could call that their best gift to Him!
Next week, the third gift: myrrh. Take a deep breath. Can you smell it?
