The Regal Gifts of the Magi - Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh

As the story goes, the three magi that traveled from afar, brought rather regal gifts for baby Jesus. From the gospel of Matthew's account, we know a few things about these wise men, or Magi.

These wise men were traveling to Jerusalem, during the days of Herod the king. It seemed normal to them to contact the King to inquire more about the King of the Jews that had been born. King Herod found it very interesting and inquired about the star that led them there. The wise men said they had seen the star, and they came to worship him, the one born King of the Jews.

We know Herod encouraged the magi to return to him, after having found this baby (now a toddler more likely), so that he might go and worship this new king also. They said they would, but were warned by an angel not to. So that never came to be.

It says the star went before them until they came to the place where it was over the young child. They rejoiced with exceeding joy, and when they went to the house they saw the child with his mother.

It says they then fell down and worshiped him and then opened their treasures. They presented these as gifts to the young Jesus. The treasures were gold, frankincense and myrrh. (See Matthew Chapter 2, verses 1-11.)

The Regal Gifts of the Magi - Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh

What kind of gifts are suitable for such a king? The wise men thought that gold frankincense and myrrh were good ideas. Many have shared that they have deeper meaning than what you may initially think. These are not necessarily suitable gifts for a baby, even a baby king. There is obviously great worth in them.

Gold - Gold is obviously a very costly and precious metal. Some church/biblical scholars have said the deeper meaning may be the love of Christ as King of the whole world. On a more practical level, some have said that the gold would have been an immediate monetary help for what may have been the impoverished parents of Jesus. (Soon to be on the run, hiding from Herod.) Mary and Joseph had already been through so much together and much more was in store.

Frankincense - an aromatic resin from the bark of African trees. It is valued for its incense, a very sweet spice. Some have said it to be like a prayer of Christ as King of the heavens. On a practical level, it would be a wonderful scent, and we are unaware of how long they were in a stable setting where animals at the very least, used to live.

Myrrh - Also an aromatic resin from the bark of African trees. Myrrh is from a thorny type of tree. It could symbolize the future sufferings of Jesus as a sacrifice. On a pragmatic level, the myrrh could deter any vermin, one person said, if they were still in a "stable" setting. You can get myrrh in an essential oil form also. I imagine this is what they used for the embalming when they used it.

We see in artistic renderings, these gifts being presented in very beautiful containers. We sometimes see what looks like a small casket shaped container for the gold, a vessel for the frankincense, and an urn containing the myrrh.

The sweet fragrances included, have often been thought to be looking forward towards when they would embalm Jesus after his death. They did wrap his body, and they often used spices and different things in this process. While they wouldn't have used these exact ones, it is often symbolic to people of what was to come.

The 3 Gifts Turn Into Folklore, Yet Never Lose Their Meaning.

Over time, we see a development where the three gifts given to Jesus translated over into giving three gifts to children on Three Kings Day. In many areas, this duty fell to Santa Claus, or St. Nicholas or even some other "person."

The three Kings from the East and their gifts from long ago still are spoken of today and celebrated. In Spain and America and many other places, we still see the original gifts of love and devotion practiced. Its become a universal thing, and I am so thankful that it has. Families world over at the very least, enjoy a time together, celebrating in different ways.