Ah, the holiday time is upon us. Everyone is busy making preparations for what most deem the most wonderful time of the year. Amid the bombardment of rehashed Christmas stories, advertisements for the latest "must-have" gifts, and holiday parties, one should take the time to remember the "original" Christmas and the significance of what each of the gifts symbolized.
If you are a believer as I, or if you correlate historic findings related to Biblical stories, you know that these stories are much more that. They are an accurate historical account of the Jewish people, the Christian church, and God's plan of redemption from beginning to end. Everything contained within the pages of the Bible has significance and symbolic meaning. So what is the significance of gold, frankincense and myrrh? Although I am not a biblical scholar, I shall attempt to explain what I believe to be the meaning behind each of these remarkable gifts.
Gold, being the finest of the precious metals signifies royalty. The royalty in question is Jesus, the King of Kings, ushering in the Kingdom of God to all who might believe. Gold, like the kingdom of God possesses properties which make it virtually indestructible. It does not rust nor show signs of age, (God is the same yesterday, today, and forever) is unaffected by chemical intrusion or exterior attempts to destroy its composition, (all attempts to bring the church to ruin have been fruitless) is universally valuable in its pure form, (not intermingled with secular beliefs and ideologies), and free for the taking if you are willing to dig. Gold, therefore is a gift befitting a king.
Frankincense is a resin from the sap of a tree that grows in southern Arabia, Ethiopia and Somolia. This resin, considered sacred in biblical times was indeed very rare and therefore very valuable. Frankincense was used in worship ceremonies and signifies service to God, therefore the divinity of Jesus. Incense was burned as it was believed that it carried prayers to heaven, and was sometimes used as a substitute for sacrificial offerings burnt on an altar, which reminds us of Jesus being the "substitute" sacrifice for our sins. Frankincense crystals burn with a bright white flame signifying the purity and light of Jesus. Medicinally, the aroma produces a calming, restorative, clarifying, and meditative effects which produce a spiritual uplifting and renewal in our lives.
Myrrh is a resin from a shrub used primarily in embalming practices during biblical times, undoubtedly signifying the mortal and human characteristics Jesus. Prophetic as it may seem, this gift points to the suffering and ultimate death that Jesus was to undergo to bring about the Kingdom of God. Alternately, it was also used medicinally for its pain relieving and inflammation healing properties, denoting Jesus as the Divine Healer. Myrrh combined with frankincense, when mixed in varying quantities produced a varitable drugstore of remedies, from cuts and scrapes to childhood maladies, and were welcomed gifts for any young mother during these trying times.
The gifts of the Magi were, therefore, practical as well as symbolic. Gold, frankincense and myrrh, we remember them from Yuletide songs, Christmas stories, and Sunday school. Now you know why each of these gifts were presented as well as the significance of each. Gold, for royalty, frankincense for divinity, and myrrh for mortality. When celebrating with your loved ones this holiday season, take a moment to remind yourself of the first Christmas and the impact that it has had on the world in which we live.
Ferrel Kenda is an Internet Author specializing in marketing and promotion. For other great holiday gift ideas, go HERE
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