In Matthew 2 we read of the wise men who came bearing gifts for
the young Jesus. This most likely occurred just shortly before Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt
to escape from Herod's murderous plot to kill the children of Bethlehem, thus these great
gifts may have helped to finance their trip through the wilderness to safety. Traditionally
there were three wise men because there were three gifts, gold frankincense and myrrh.
All three of these items were very highly valued in ancient culture. Only the wealthiest
could afford them, yet these gifts given to the Savior at His birth were also very symbolic
in nature.
In Matthew 2 we read of the wise men who came bearing gifts for the young Jesus. This most
likely occurred shortly before Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt to escape from Herod's murderous
plot to kill the children of Bethlehem, thus these great gifts may have helped to finance
their trip through the wilderness to safety. Traditionally there were three wise men because
there were three gifts, gold frankincense and myrrh. All three of these items were very
highly valued in ancient culture. Only the wealthiest could afford them, yet these gifts
given to the Savior at His birth were also very symbolic in nature.
Though gold was significant in many ways, I only wish to discuss the two gifts of frankincense
and myrrh. Frankincense and myrrh are both made from tree sap and are used for various
types of incenses and ointments. The sap is collected by cutting or whipping the trees
to cause them to "bleed." The sap is then allowed to dry and then pulled off the tree.
Both frankincense and myrrh were known for their healing powers and were combined with
oil and other spices to create healing balms.
Myrrh was used to mask the smell during the embalming process of the dead, by wrapping
this and other spices within the folds of the cloth that wrapped the dead body. According
to John 19:39, we learn that myrrh was used in the burial process for the Savior.
Frankincense was used in the tabernacle of Moses and the later temples in Jerusalem,
as one of the of the spice that was burned at the altar of incense. This incense that
was burned in front of the veil that separated the priest from the Holy of Hollies (or the
presence of God) symbolized the prayer of the righteous. This incense was a to be a
sweet savor to the Lord, just as our prayers.
How fitting that the gifts given by the wise men were in similitude to the gift the Savior
gave in Gethsemane and on the cross. It is through the purchase of His sacrifice that
we are enabled to flee from Satan to the safety of His atonement. It is through His stripes
that we are healed. It is through His blood that brings a sweet savor to life and death.
It is because of his blood, shed in Gethsemane and from the blows from the whip, that allows
us to mask the sting of death through His triumphal resurrection. Just as these spices
were used to heal the physical wounds of mortal life, so the atonement of Christ heals our
spiritual wounds. The atonement helps bring relief to our pain, and helps bring a sweetness
to life's difficulties. Because of His prayer in Gethsemane and on the cross, our prayers
can and will be heard by the Father; our prayers become like a sweet savor to the Father because
of the sacrifice of the Son.
Let us this Christmas season give a gift like the wise men. A gift that is in similitude
of His sacrifice. A gift of our heart to the Lord and a gift of our service and love towards
mankind. A gift, though meager in comparison to His gift, that will likewise change the
hearts and souls of those around us.