Scripture:

Matthew 2:11-12
11) On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12) And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herrod, they returned to their country by another route.

Prayer
As I grew up and heard the Nativity Story, it became very real yet overly known. The humble birth of a Saviour King. The collection of animals milling around while Mary nursed and cared for Baby Jesus. Joseph quietly watching and pondering what to do next. While outside a couple of Shepherds come visiting late in the evening. Unexpected and looking for a miracle.

Not to forget the 'Three' Wise Men who are usually shown at the Manger with their gifts. Ready to pay their respects alongside the Shepherds.

Yet the best things in life are often the little rewarding surprises. Such as learning that there was never any mention of how many Magi or Wise Men. In fact they didn't visit the Manger as so often is depicted in Nativity Scenes(Matthew 2:11-12). And by all accounts must have stayed over as they had a dream prior to leaving.

What is also a wonderful relearning of the Nativity Story is the significance of the Three Gifts. As I was growing up, they were only referred to as being very precious for a very precious child. Each of them not having any mention of importance outside of all three being rare and costly.

Yet it is a sad wonder that it had taken till my middle age to hear of their importance. That each one had an actual significance and dedication to the life journey our Lord was to take. These being:

Gold:
As a Royal Symbol of Majesty and Might, many Kings had Crowns of Gold. It set them apart from the commoner and even the Nobility. It is meaningful to understand that the Magi were looking for The King of the Jews. And as befitting such a Royal Title the first gift would be suited.

Incense:
The use of Incense if Hebrew culture dates back to the very founding of the people of Israel. It was highly regarded and used primarily if not exclusively by the Priests. In this gift we see a recognition by the Magi of the role Jesus would play as the High Priest. The only true one worthy to serve the people of Israel and the World. In this gift we see the second step in the Journey of the Lord.

Myrrh:
In the entombing process of the departed, there were a list of tasks or rituals that had to be done. These would be done by either someone who has been elected or paid by the family. Or if the family was rather poor, then someone in the family would deal with them. The use of Myrrh as an anointing of the dead was one of the last rituals to be performed. What a sad and strange gift to give at a birth. One that may have had Mary and Joseph wondering why they included this. Yet in hindsight we can see how even this last gift fits in with the whole story of Jesus' life. From birth to the Cross.

So we find that each of these gifts speaks to us of the journey and significance the life and death of our Lord and Saviour How each in it's own way writes the story for us a Foreshadowing of things to come.


Heavenly Father,
The birth of your Son,
Mild and meek,
Gentle and Kind,
Went seemingly unnoticed.

Yet in three precious gifts,
We find a Foreshadowing,
Of the life and death of love,
As manifested in our Lord.

We know the story continues,
And does not end there,
But has a blessed message,
Of grace and salvation for all.

May we be filled with the Spirit,
Encouraged by the Gospel,
And emblazoned by our faith,
To share the Nativity Message.

Amen