As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us reflect on how awesome God is. How He does everything with a purpose, a plan, and with excellence.
We’ve all heard of the “Three Kings,” who brought gifts to Jesus when He was born. Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. But do we know the significance and symbolism of those gifts? A considerable number of Christians do not. I confess, neither did I until recent years. These gifts didn’t come in the typical three boxes shown on Christmas cards. Each gift had a special meaning! Nor did the Magi, who were kings, present just the three little items to the Son of God.
Magi were not ordinary kings; they were exceptionally wealthy and powerful leaders who outranked other monarchs. The Magi had authority over any king and were highly feared and respected. As a result, every royal of that era were aware of their identity and importance. The Magi possessed immense authority, enabling them to install a king or remove one from power.
A little background: all Magi were from the Eastern lands and therefore had to have heard of Daniel and his prophesies of a coming Messiah. God elevated Daniel to be leader over the Magi at some point, and so any Magi knew of Daniel and his teachings. And they held Daniel in high regard.
It is important to understand that they presented a caravan of gifts to Jesus, again, not just three wrapped gifts. A caravan is a large well-supplied company of travelers, journeying together for safety or trade for a particularly long journey. Usually over deserts. They could have traveled with up to 3,000 camels loaded with precious gifts and accompanied with guards or military. In a processional line of such caravans.
Afterall, they were worshipping the King of all kings! This was no small matter, and they recognized that. Unlike the Queen of Sheba, who is noted in 1 Kings 10:10 for presenting King Solomon with generous offerings—specifically 120 talents of gold, an abundance of spices, and precious stones—the context here differs significantly.There never again came such abundance of spices as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.” and also mentioned in 2 Chronicles 9:9-10. A huge caravan of camels carrying these riches, acknowledging Solomon’s wisdom and God’s blessing on Israel. No, for the Messiah, the Magi’s gifts outweighed even Queen Sheba’s impressive offering.
GOLD
This Magi was of European or Caucasian looking descent – who gifted Jesus with gold. The purest gold deemed the highest way to show respect and honor. Furniture (beds, chairs) draped with gold and ivory or ebony. Footstools, fashioned with ivory, ebony, and gold. And as much as a procession of caravans could carry. Gold signified the deity of a King.
FRANKINCENSE
This Magi was of Persian looking descent. He brought exotic and rare items deemed more valuable than gold. Produced from trees grown in Eastern lands. From the bark of the tree, would give amber colored drops of sap. Burned, produced an aromatic fragrance. This was the chief fragrance used in temple worship. A holy substance. By bringing this gift, acknowledging Jesus as a Priest and a King.
MYRRH
This Magi was of Ethiopian descent. Myrrh, also produced from exotic trees in Eastern lands. A very pleasurable smell favored by kings for the lovely aroma to relieve headaches. Most significantly used in embalming processes to counter the stench of the dead corpse. Myrrh symbolized Christ death. The Lamb of God that would take away the sins of mankind. This gift acknowledged Jesus as Savior of mankind through His death and resurrection.
They were innumerable lists of fabrics, gold, silver, garments, precious stones, furniture, and jewelry.
These gifts were all presented to Jesus in recognition of Him being King, High Priest, and Savior of the world!
Let us remember why Jesus was born at all! To suffer and die for each one of our sins. To be our High Priest, sitting at the right hand of the Father, representing all of us. To receive forgiveness of sin, and victory in life here and in eternity. Jesus represents you are forgiven and to come receive God’s greatest gift to humanity. A new life! But you have to choose to receive. “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessings and cursing; therefore, choose life that you and your descendants may live.” Deuteronomy 30:19.
Jesus Christ King of all Kings!
Marguerite Wafula