The 12 Days of ChristmasSýnishorn

A Royally Fine Gift

What would you think if someone gave a casket or some embalming fluid as a baby gift?  

That’s exactly what some say the magi did in bringing myrrh to the Christ Child. First-century people used myrrh—which means “bitter”—to deaden pain and prepare the dead for burial. On the cross, Jesus refused wine mixed with myrrh. Later Nicodemus brought myrrh to prepare Jesus’ corpse. Because of these associations, people believe that the wise men predicted Jesus’ death.

The magi themselves had no idea about the coming crucifixion. Jesus’ own disciples didn’t comprehend it until afterward. Only Mary of Bethany, who anointed Jesus for burial, understood beforehand that our Savior had to die before returning to reign. 

We may certainly see a literary connection with death in the magi’s gift, but in their minds, myrrh was probably more connected with royalty. Think of how Esther spent six months using oil of myrrh before her night with Xerxes (Esth. 2:12). And in Psalm 45:6–8, we read, “Your throne, O God, is permanent. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of justice. You love justice and hate evil… All your garments are perfumed with myrrh, aloes, and cassia.”  

When the magi asked King Herod the location of the one born King of the Jews, these magi said they had come to worship that king (Matt. 2:2), and when these travelers arrived at the house and found Jesus, they fell before Him and paid homage with lavish gifts.

To connect myrrh only with death is to miss myrrh’s strong association with riches, rejoicing, and royalty. Matthew’s focus in the Christmas story is on the arrival of The King. Great men journeyed far and offered gifts at great expense to honor the Lord of Lords.

How can we who know so much more of Him do any less?  

January 5 in the Christian year is sometimes referred to as Twelfth Night.  January 6  is Christmas in some parts of the world. In others, it is Epiphany—when Christian believers celebrate that the Gentile magi brought their gifts to the Jewish Baby Jesus, Lord of Heaven and Earth.  

We hope this Plan encouraged you. In Vindicating the Vixens (Kregel Academic) a diverse group of scholars consider—among others—the five women of Jesus' genealogy. You can find this resource and more from Aspire Productions at aspire2.com. 

Photo: Sandra Glahn; mosaic of the three magi in Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna, Italy.