Perhaps the wise men intended this gift as an indication of Jesus’ humanity and the manner in which he would save his people—namely, that he would die for them (cf. But this tree sap has been prized across the world for over 6,000 years. After the Babylonian captivity, remnants of Jewish culture lingered in that region and it’s likely that Hebrew Scriptures were among the sacred writings these wise men studied in their pursuit of wisdom. It’s possible that the wise men who visited Jesus hailed from this area, which would explain their familiarity with the Old Testament prophesy of the “king of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2). The Book of Isaiah, when … Though present throughout the region, magi were more commonly associated with the Parthian Empire located to the east of Palestine (present-day Iran). 4 Ways I've Seen God's Presence in the Pandemic, 1 Thing You Never Learned about the Christmas Story, This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright © 2020, Crosswalk.com. Israel was never intended to be the stopping point of grace; God called them to be a light for all nations. Both frankincense and myrrh are gum resins that are extracted from shrub-like trees in the Burseraceae family, which grow in dry climates across parts of Asia and Africa, including India, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and Somalia. These fragrant incense pieces come from the Burseraceae family of trees and are found across the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Frankincense, a vegetable resin, brittle, glittering, and of a bitter taste, used for the purpose of sacrificial fumigation. One aspect of the visit that has largely escaped alteration is the list of gifts presented to Jesus: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The wise men and their gifts may also be seen through the lens of global missions. One of the clearest examples of this picture is found in Isaiah 60, a scene describing an age to come when the nations would be drawn to the glory of Israel—“nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising” (Isaiah 60:3). (Matthew 2:1-12 [ESV]). ‘Frankincense and myrrh are made from resins from trees growing only in that area.’ ‘The nativity, a scene that invokes images of a child in swaddling clothes, gold, frankincense, and myrrh.’ ‘The story is told of Jesus being born in Bethlehem and being visited by wise men from the east that brought presents of gold, incense, and myrrh.’ Myrrh is native to the Middle East, Northern Africa and India. Joseph was instructed to take refuge in Egypt, a journey of over 100 miles. Frankincense was a worthy gift for Christ since He was the anointed One who deserves our worship. They also used it for embalming so it could accompany a soul to the afterlife, and because it was thought to have antibacterial properties. Frankincense was used lavishly in religious rites. It’s possible that their gifts were specifically intended to pay homage to Jesus’ royalty, deity, and humanity. Matthew tells us that as soon as the wise men departed, an angel of the Lord came to warn Joseph of Herod’s rage (Matthew 2:13). Both frankincense and myrrh have healing properties that can help people emotionally, vibrationally, and spiritually. Myrrh is also a dried resin from Arabia and northern Africa (from thorny shrubs and trees of the genus Commiphora) used in perfumes, incense, and medicines for thousands of years. Much like frankincense, myrrh is not an herb but a resin, and appears with some relevance in a number of religious and spiritual contexts. Though the Bible’s account of the wise men’s visit is relatively straightforward, it can be viewed from many different angles. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. What are frankincense and myrrh? According to Exodus 30, however, not just any incense would do. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Myrrh speaks of His death. Again, parallels to Jesus’ consecrated life and sacrificial death are immediately noticeable. In addition to underscoring the royalty of Jesus, some have noted that the wise men’s gift of gold may have foreshadowed another aspect of Jesus’ ministry. ( Exodus 30:34-36) It was called frank because of the freeness with which, when burned, it gives forth its odor. Perhaps the best known of these is in the Christian bible, where myrrh is described as one of the three gifts given by the Magi to the newborn baby Jesus. All rights reserved. ), accumulation of gold was one of the chief measures of wealth (cf. Myrrh- Myrrh is a reddish resin that comes from species of the genus Commiphora, which are native to northeast Africa and the adjacent areas of the Arabian Peninsula. ‘By their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, they acknowledged Jesus as royal, divine, and destined to suffer and die.’ ‘I think it was rosemary and frankincense in it perhaps, that the swinging censor of incense, and I just found it all so beautiful and evocative, that ritual going on.’ These valuable items were standard gifts to honor a king or deity in the ancient world: gold as a precious metal, frankincense as perfume or incense, and myrrh as anointing oil. Later, during the Babylonian Empire, Daniel encountered—and rescued—a group of prominent wise men that had been called upon to interpret the king’s dream (Daniel 2:2,24). He is born a King. It was a spice and was used in embalming. Compared to the Bible’s account of the royal visit, the story we tell is often padded with a bit of extra information. Myrrh in a lot of ways is similar to frankincense. Log in, 11 Unusual Facts about the Magi in the Bible », 23 Yummy Thanksgiving Dips You Can’t Stop Eating, 25 Christian Leadership Quotes That Will Make You A Dynamic Leader, Grow in Faith with These 15 Friendship with God Quotes, 70+ Powerful Bible Verses about Friendship, 27 Powerful Dietrich Bonhoeffer Quotes That Will Inspire You. The nations would come, but they wouldn’t be empty-handed: “they shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord” (v. 6). It burns for a long time, with a steady flame. Dr. Subhuti Dharmananda of the Institute of Traditional Medicine in Portland, Oregon, notes that these resins are shrouded in rich history; several cultures believed that frankincense and myrrh possessed magical or spiritual energy 1. This article is part of our larger Christmas and Advent resource library centered around the events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ. He and his wife, Jaime, have 4 children and live in Birmingham, AL, where he works as a pediatric physician. As with gold, frankincense may also have an implied connection with the Temple worship of the Old Covenant. A speculative parallel can be drawn between this and Jesus’ life as a pure and holy offering to the Lord. 3 Reasons the 'Christmas Star' of 2020 Is Bringing So Much Hope, Amazing Children's Choir Sings 'I Can Only Imagine', The Thrill of Hope - Advent Devotional - Dec. 2, God Sees Your Value - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - December 3. For a family of humble means, a trip of this magnitude would be difficult to pull off. Myrrh is a fragrant spice derived from the sap of a tree native to the Near East. Frankincense and myrrh were both highly valued in first century culture, noting a gift that was special yet also held practical value as an oil for Jesus and perhaps His family members. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. The gold represented Jesus’ kingship, the frankincense symbolized his role as a priest, and the myrrh alluded to his death. Myrrh was also a product of Arabia, and was obtained from a tree in the same manner as frankincense. This time of year, healing is often welcome for many -- it is cold and flu season, and added stress can make people feel run down and sickly. And as it is today, gold was a valued commodity in the ancient world. Though we don’t have a record of such, it is reasonable to think that the valuable gifts Mary and Joseph received from the wise men may have financed the family’s flight to Egypt. Dr. J. Vernon McGee makes this comment about the three gifts. Frankincense has a woody aroma and may offer several health benefits, including potential cancer-fighting properties. Myrrh definition is - a yellowish-brown to reddish-brown aromatic gum resin with a bitter slightly pungent taste obtained from a tree (especially Commiphora abyssinica of the family Burseraceae) of eastern Africa and Arabia; also : a mixture of myrrh and labdanum. For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. Just like the first two gifts, there is a Temple connection with myrrh as well. Because of this, they are often used in rituals to help the sick. Now protect it. All three gifts reveal thought-provoking implications that related to Jesus’ life and ministry. Putting this all together, the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that the wise men offered to Jesus symbolize giving our entire self to Jesus Christ: The gift of gold = offering the love in our hearts to Jesus. The frankincense presented to Jesus would have been the incense, and the myrrh would have been in the form of oil. Article Images Copyright ©. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh = our whole being. In fact, these same three items were apparently among the gifts, recorded in ancient inscriptions, that King Seleucus II Callinicus offered to the god Apollo at the temple in Miletus in 243 B.C.E. Frankincense definition, an aromatic gum resin from various Asian and African trees of the genus Boswellia, especially B. carteri, used chiefly for burning as incense in religious or ceremonial practices, in perfumery, and in pharmaceutical and fumigating preparations. Myrrh is thought to unite heaven and Earth … In ancient culture, myrrh was used as an antiseptic to clean and treat wounds, help stop bleeding, and to treat hay fever. Frankincense and myrrh are perhaps best known for their biblical connotations. In the ancient near east, the cost of frankincense precluded it from being used as a common household air freshener. With no hint of a backstory, Matthew simply introduces us to the travelers with, “behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem....” But who were these men? If you’re wondering what use an infant would have for these gifts, you’re not alone. But despite recent attempts to protect these trees, they could soon be headed for extinction. Both frankincense and myrrh are derived from the gummy sap that oozes out of the Boswellia and Commiphora trees, respectively, when their bark is cut. History of December 25th, The Birth of Jesus: Bible Story and Scripture Verses, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. As we all know from our nativity sets, some very special guests attended the birth of the Jesus: wise men from the east, bearing gifts for the newborn king. History of December 25thThe Birth of Jesus: Bible Story and Scripture VersesChristmas Bible Verses & Scripture StoryChristmas Prayers, Photo credits in order of appearance: ©Pexels/Tookapic, Â©Unsplash/JackT, ©Pixabay/xbqs42, ©Pixabay/Leo_65, Â©Unsplash/GarethHarper, Â©Unsplash/JakubJacobsky, ©Pexels/InbalMalca, 10 Things Christians Should Know about Marijuana, 10 Family Movies about the True Meaning of Christmas, Just Drop the Blanket: The Moment You Never Noticed in. You've planned for your future. Matthew is the only gospel to mention the magi, thus the only reference we have to gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Not gonna lie it was probably handy to have around … The gift of frankincense = offering the truth in our minds to Jesus. Now that we know the significance of the gifts brought to baby Jesus, let's dive into the importance of the gift givers. Mary and Joseph saw a glimpse of this when they received the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Learn more. Because of its scarcity and immense value, gold was particularly associated with royalty and nobility, as is seen in 1 Kings 10 when the Queen of Sheba visits King Solomon bearing great quantities of gold as a gift. Myrrh being commonly used as an anointing oil, frankincense as a perfume, and gold as a valuable. See more. What Are Advent Readings & Why Are They Important? As was customary for royal visits, the wise men came bearing treasured gifts intended to honor the newborn king. The method of collecting myrrh is the same as collecting frankincense.Myrrh was used as a perfume, medicine and embalming medium.Myrrh is also well-known as a gift of the Magi to the infant Jesus, signifying his death. The word comes from an Arabic word meaning “bitter.” It has been valued for its aroma as well as for its use as an antiseptic, analgesic (topical painkiller), and other medicinal qualities. Beyond that, they may have also carried Temple connotations and even a reference to Jesus’ global mission. It is a famous and crucial resin with incomparable esoteric magic virtues that is made to exude, support for every kind of magical or religious practice. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. He is the author of two family worship books (The Expected One: Anticipating All of Jesus in the Advent and Mission Accomplished: A Two-Week Family Easter Devotional) as well as the illustrated children's book The Littlest Watchman. In fact, these same three items were apparently among the gifts, recorded in ancient inscri… The primary significance of the gifts lay in their great value—they were indeed gifts fit for a king. If you’re wondering what use an infant would have for these gifts, you’re not alone. They are both botanically related, had medicinal value, and currency value. Why Do Some People Claim That Christmas Is a Pagan Holiday? This combination gives them that sweet, woody smell perfect for the winter season. All of this is indicated in … The gift of frankincense to the Christ child was symbolic of His willingness to become a sacrifice, wholly giving Himself up, analogous to a burnt offering. Frankincense speaks of the fragrance of His life. Here are 5 science-backed benefits of frankincense — as well as 7 myths. The wise men may have had this connection in mind because, as described in 1 Kings 6:20-22, the walls of the Most Holy Place and the altar within it were completely overlaid with—you guessed it—gold. By bringing a gift of gold, the wise men showed that they did indeed consider Jesus a king. Let’s look at the Bible’s account of these travelers and their quest to meet the prophesied king: Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? Whether or not you want to read deeper theological meaning into them, one thing that is certain is that these were significant gifts intended to show great honor to King Jesus. In the end, these wise men gave what they had to show their devotion to Jesus as the new king. Like Frankincense, it has been used in spiritual and religious ceremonies for thousands of years. And in this case, that wealth was likely used to help the family escape to another nation. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the magi bring gold, frankincense, and myrrh as expensive gifts to the young Jesus. Understanding History, Origin and Traditions, When Was Jesus Born? They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;for from you shall come a rulerwho will shepherd my people Israel.’”, Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. Among the types of assets listed in the Bible (e.g., precious metals, livestock, servants, gemstones, etc. "At the time Jesus is thought to have been born, frankincense and myrrh may have been worth more than their weight in the third gift presented by the wise men: gold But despite their significance in the New Testament, the substances fell out of favor in Europe with the rise of Christianity and fall of the Roman Empire, which essentially obliterated the thriving trade routes that had … frankincense definition: 1. a thick sticky liquid that produces a sweet smell when burned and comes from a tree that grows…. In this way, the inclusion of frankincense as a gift for Jesus may have indicated that the wise men understood that the prophecy of the newborn king carried with it a claim of deity. We hope these articles help you understand the meaning and story behind important Christian holidays and dates and encourage you as you take time to reflect on all that God has done for us through his son Jesus Christ! Myrrh in Biblical Times . It is produced by scraping the bark of certain native species of trees and then harvesting the beads of resin after they have dried. Natural Uses for Myrrh. Frankincense is an aromatic gum resin that is still widely used in parts of the Middle East and Africa today. What is Christmas? Frankincense is a symbol of holiness and righteousness. In the book of Matthew 2:11, it reads, “After coming into the house … Since the early days of Christianity, Biblical scholars and theologians have offered varying interpretations of the meaning and significance of the gold, frankincense and myrrh that the magi presented to Jesus, according to the Gospel of Matthew (2:11). The ancient Egyptians burned it as an offering to Ra, the sun god. Genesis 13:2, Ecclesiastes 2:8). In the wise men, we see a microcosm of the greater reality that is to come: one day, people from every tribe, tongue, and nation will come before the throne of Jesus in praise and adoration (Revelation 7:9-10). Myrrh is also an aromatic resin, collected from the Commiphora, another African tree. These valuable gifts were clearly intended to honor Jesus, but it’s possible they carried deeper theological significance as well. Isaiah 60:6 describes the wealth of the nations coming to God’s people through Christ. Most notable with regard to Jesus’ life, myrrh was a key ingredient in the mixture of spices that were used to prepare bodies for burial (e.g., John 19:39-40). Beyond making it clear that these were great treasures given in an act of worship (Matthew 2:11), Scripture does not directly attach any other symbolic meaning to the gifts. The story of the nativity is actually a blend of both the gospels of Luke and Matthew. Photo credits in order of appearance: ©Pexels/Tookapic. Often an anointing oil. Likewise, the incarnation of Jesus heralded the presence of God—Immanuel—and the sacrifice of atonement he would make on behalf of his people when he went to the cross. We’ve all heard of frankincense but what is it and how does it smell? Frankincense and myrrh are oleoresins, meaning the oils from the plants are combined with its gum-like resin – essentially tree sap. Frankincense is a symbol of holiness and righteousness. The three gifts had a spiritual meaning: gold as a symbol of kingship on earth, frankincense (an incense ) as a symbol of deity, and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death. For thousands of years, practitioners of traditional medicine have valued frankincense and myrrh for their potent healing properties 1. It was also sometimes … The gift of frankincense to the Christ child was symbolic of His willingness to become a sacrifice, wholly giving Himself up, analogous to a burnt offering. Within the Medo-Persian Empire, for example, magi were regarded as valuable advisors due to their knowledge of science, agriculture, and sorcery. (Matthew 2:11) . When burned as incense, it creates a strong and beautiful aroma. A specific recipe of spices mixed with “pure frankincense” (v. 34) was to be consecrated as “pure and holy” (v.35) and was the only incense permitted at the altar. The term wise men (also translated as magi) refers to astronomers or astrologers who served in royal courts throughout the ancient near eastern world.