However, the
Prince of Peace wants you to focus on Him. Jesus desires your
love, devotion and obedience. But we also have to recognize His Deity, as
did the wise men of old.
Micah 5:2 refers to Bethlehem
as “…little among the thousands of Judah,
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be ruler in Israel, Whose
goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”
Matthew 2:1-2 records
details of the magi’s visit from the East to pay homage to the newborn King as
follows: 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? For we have seen His star in the East and
have come to worship Him.”
Traditionally we celebrate
the magi’s worship of our Lord – otherwise known as Epiphany – in January, but I wanted to highlight it during this
season of giving. The three gifts
offered represent Jesus Christ as our King, Priest and Prophet. Scripture references are Daniel
9:24-27, Deuteronomy 18:15, and Psalm 110:4.
Some church historians,
particularly in the West, have named the three magi in Scripture as: Melchior,
a king of Arabia who most likely was the oldest of the kings; Balthasar, a king
from Saba (present day Yemen); and Caspar, a king from Tarsus (present day
southern Turkey).
Their unusual and highly
valued presents were Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. Gold was a gift
befitting a king. In the book of Exodus, the tabernacle in which God Himself
dwelt housed various items which were either crafted from solid gold or
overlaid in gold. Gold itself is symbolic
of royalty and wealth, and is representative of heaven’s grandeur on the
streets of gold mentioned in the book
of Revelation.
Frankincense was a chief
ingredient in the incense which was to be burned continually in the
tabernacle. In the book of Revelation
the prayers of the saints are rising to God’s throne as burning incense.
Myrrh was a chief ingredient in the anointing oil used in ceremonial rituals to dedicate kings and prophets to the Lord’s service. It was also used in the burial process along with other herbs and spices to preserve the body as mentioned in John 19:39.
Matthew 2:11 states, “And when they (magi) had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
You say, “What can I bring
Jesus?” I’m not royalty… I’ve not
traveled thousands of miles to see Him… I don’t have an extravagant gift to
hand Him. Ah – but you do. His desire is
to have your heart this Christmas season…
We often sing the more popular
stanzas in Christmas hymns and omit the others.
Read the entire hymn below to get a deeper glimpse into the wonderful
sentiments of the author.
We three kings of Orient are; Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star.
O star of
wonder, star of night, Star with
royal beauty bright,
Westward
leading, still proceeding, Guide us to
thy perfect light.
Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain, Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never, Over us all to reign.
Frankincense to offer have I; Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising all men raising, Worship Him, God on high.
Myrrh is mine: its bitter perfume, Breathes a life of gathering gloom:
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
Glorious now behold Him arise, King and God and sacrifice;
Alleluia, Alleluia! Sounds through the earth and skies.
~ John Henry Hopkins, Jr. (1820-1891)
Deborah is the
author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord
Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion. It will encourage and challenge the reader to
embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. Visit Spiritually Uneven Marriage
