The Twelve Days of Christmas which began on December 26th and culminated on January 6th end with the celebration of Epiphany, a word meaning “to reveal.” In the giving of those three gifts, the Magi revealed (perhaps not even clear to them) the role, identity and destiny of the young Child.
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem
2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”
Matthew 2:1-2 (NIV)
10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
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. Matthew 2:10-11 (NIV)
Gold
The precious metal, today worth approximately $1560 per ounce, was a sign of Jesus’ royal status. Surely a fitting gift for the One later known to humankind as the King of kings.
Frankincense
By giving frankincense, they acknowledged Jesus as Deity. While others, save Joseph and Mary, viewed the Hebrew boy as just that, the visitors, through the power of the Holy Spirit, saw Him as one worthy of worship. As my four favorite words of “O Holy Night” declare, “Fall on your knees!”
Myrrh
Myrrh was a resin commonly used to prepare a body for burial. As we learn in the gospel, Jesus was born to die.
Later in time, the Recipient of the Magi’s gifts became the gift-giver. It is the greatest of all gifts.
26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:26-28 (NIV)
#ordinarylives
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