Christmas in the Holy LandSýnishorn

Wise Men, Odd Gifts, Our Lives

As kids, we expected our Christmas gifts to be age-appropriate. But when we’re hoping for a train set, or a doll, or a baseball mitt, and out of the box falls a package of socks—well, it’s pretty disappointing. 

Think about the seemingly sorry gifts Jesus got from the Wise Men. These presents, while hardly age-appropriate, actually represented tremendous insight into the identity of the Bethlehem boy. 

“After coming into the house, they saw the Child with Mary, His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11)

The Wise Men knew Jesus was born “King of the Jews,” so they gave Him gold (Matt. 2:2, 11). Gold has always represented royalty, usually because only kings could afford such precious metals. But this gift was also God’s provision for Mary and Joseph, as they would soon flee to Egypt to avoid Herod’s slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem. 

The magi also gave Jesus frankincense, which had its place in the Old Testament worship of God (Lev. 2:1-2). By giving Jesus frankincense, the Wise Men were identifying Jesus as the Lord. And this fits the context, for when they saw Him, “they fell to the ground and worshiped Him” (Matt. 2:11).

The final gift, myrrh was essentially a perfume, sometimes worn around the neck and sometimes used to make cheap wine taste better. But it was also commonly used to embalm dead bodies. I’m sure Mary and Joseph stared at each other with uneasiness as the Wise Men presented this token of death to Jesus. In fact, Jesus was anointed with myrrh after He died (John 19:39). 

At first, Jesus’ three gifts from the magi seemed hardly age-appropriate. But in truth, the gifts could not have been more appropriate, insightful, and awe-inspiring.

Jesus was born King of the Jews. He was God in the flesh. He was born to die. Like the Wise Men, we also know who Jesus is—King and God and Sacrifice. 

O come, let us adore Him! 

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