Barely before September slips away, Halloween descends on consumers, followed shortly afterward by Christmas. Malls, grocery stores, and even hardware outlets transform storefronts into scenic winter wonderlands and stock aisles brim with toys, gifts, and candies for every age. TV, print, and social media deluge people with pre-Black Friday sales. Thanksgiving becomes associated with hours of frantic shopping, cleaning, and cooking. Family and friends gather for a day of football and turkey. Some strategize for the next big game, the infamous Black Friday. Parents search for that popular game, shoes, or tech gadget in high demand, and others hunt for the perfect present for a relative or themselves. I wonder if anyone considered presents for Jesus since we celebrate his birthday on December 25? Pursuing presents for the reason for the season will cost time and thought. You won’t locate them at the local mall.
Let’s consider what the gifts to Jesus mentioned in the Bible can teach us today about the reason for the season.
Three Gifts from the Magi to Jesus in the Bible
Matthew starts, “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod….” Thus, Matthew ensures that we understand that Jesus, the Christ, fully human and fully divine, entered the world in a small, obscure town under an insecure ruler. King Herod, also known as Herod the Great, was the son of an Edomite and received his power from a Roman Emperor. Matthew 2:9 acts as a drumroll of anticipation when we read, “the star stopped above the place where the child resided.” The wise men present their gifts to the Christ child in Matthew 2:11.
They traveled from the East to Bethlehem, Judea, to present gifts of frankincense, gold, and myrrh to a toddler they pronounced King of the Jews. The presentation of gifts displayed respect for kingship in Eastern culture.
When Did the Wise Men Bring Gifts to Jesus?
The wise men set out to present gifts to the young child Jesus approximately two years after his birth. They found the toddler and His mother, Mary, in a house in Bethlehem. Scholars believe they were astrologers and originated from the priestly tribe of the Persian and Babylonians in the East. God interrupted their usual stargazing with a divine twinkle in the sky. Following this new star, they journeyed to glimpse the long-awaited Messiah.
In Jerusalem, the wise men told Herod the Great about their trip. He inquired how they knew when to begin the journey and showed keen interest in the Messiah. Herod asked them to come back through if they located the child in Bethlehem.
The men followed the star. Being men of wisdom and tradition, they brought gifts. They left that house with a kingdom perspective. They heeded a warning not to journey back toward Herod and Jerusalem.
Once the insecure king realized the wise men weren’t returning, he commanded the murder of all two-year-old Jewish males to try and eradicate his future replacement. The man’s blatant disregard for life and arrogance may seem foolish until we check the reflection in the mirror. How often have we fought against something new and uncomfortable?
Significance of the Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh
All three gifts were expensive and fit for royalty. While the wise men may not have had religious intentions when they gave the gifts, each one seems to communicate something about Jesus’ life. As he did when guiding the star, the Lord guided the gift offerings.
According to Nelson’s Bible Dictionary, gold is a soft, bright-yellow metal and one of the first known to humanity. It’s mentioned in the Garden of Eden and described as good (Genesis 2:11-12). Elsewhere in the Bible, it symbolizes wealth and royalty. The future father of all nations, Abram, counted gold amongst his vast wealth in Genesis 13:2. God commanded Moses to seek an offering of gold, silver, and brass from Israelite men eager to give for the sanctuary. The Israelites not only overlaid the sanctuary’s accessories (a table, dishes, and other times) in gold, they did the same for the wood they used to make the ark of the covenant. King David dedicated all the gold he’d taken from other nations to God. The streets of the New Jerusalem are made of pure gold. The gift of gold identified the child as the future king. It also served a practical purpose: it helped the family financially. Mary and Joseph were young newlyweds and would soon have to take their child to Egypt.
Frankincense, which means pure incense, was a spice of the wealthy because of its high cost. It also has significance earlier in the Bible. In Exodus 30:34-38, God commanded Moses to have perfumers mix pure frankincense with stacte, onycha, and galbanum, to make incense. Before entering the sanctuary, Moses would crush some of the incense and place some of it before the Testimony. If anyone attempted to mix the perfume at home or wear it, they would die. The Bible also talks about using frankincense when sending prayers to heaven or for burnt offerings to God. Given how it was used in offerings, frankincense could symbolize how Jesus would offer himself as a sacrifice for our sins and as our future Great High Priest.
Myrrh was another costly spice. The Lord listed it as a principal spice for anointing in Exodus 30:17. Anointing oil was made from myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, cassia, and olive oil for Aaron and his sons to anoint the tabernacle. God declared the oil as His holy oil throughout the generations of the Israelites. However, it was also used for medicinal purposes and embalming. In this respect, it may have foreshadowed Jesus’ coming suffering and affliction for our sins on Good Friday. Myrrh was mixed with wine and offered to Jesus on the cross to numb the pain (Mark 15:23). Nicodemus brought myrrh and other spices to cover Jesus’ body as he and Joseph of Arimathea wrapped the body for burial (John 19:39). One glimpse of the expensive oil might have caused Jesus’ mother a moment of bittersweetness as she remembered Simeon’s words about a sword piercing her soul (Luke 2:25-35).
The wise men gave practical, honorable gifts for a future king.
What Can We Learn From the Gifts to Jesus?
One big takeaway is to know your recipient. The wise men gave gifts that the parents and the child could use and appreciate, now and in the future. Sometimes gifts are purchased to impress not just the recipient but the onlookers. Sometimes gifts are purchases to compete with each other rather than a heart of charity.
Jesus’ gifts were costly, but money should not be the objective. I believe a present should honor, appreciate, and reflect the recipient. The gifts can be practical, fun, or both, but they should fit the recipient. For example, don’t give season basketball tickets to someone who is only a football fan.
Giving gifts takes awareness. Giving gifts also provides an opportunity to get to know others better. A simple conversation about favorite past times, colors, sports, foods, or gadgets might help identify the right gift idea while simultaneously creating deeper relationships. When my kids were young, I loved their homemade cards and coupons for extra hugs, washing the dishes, or a cool work of art. Think outside the box (though I don’t believe cash has ever received a “no thank you”).
What Can We Give to the King?
What can we give to the King who has everything? The idea of presenting my Savior with gifts on his birthday came up when I explained to my children that Christmas included more than a list of ‘I wants.’ It’s about Christ coming to save us from sin. Knowing Him as Lord and Savior and studying God’s word provided the wisdom for what to present. I sat on the floor surrounded by my four, and we discussed what Jesus might want from each of us. Our gifts ranged from promises to be kind to one another to obedience to doing their best in school. I added treating others the way Jesus treats us and seeking peace. Micah 6:8 states that the Lord requires us to act justly, love faithfully, and walk humbly with Him. Jesus reprimanded experts of the law, known as Pharisees, in Matthew 9:13 for caring more about standing on the tradition of law instead of having a heart of mercy.
The Son loved the Father so much that He willingly came down from heaven. Our fully divine King progressed through humanity from a babe in a manger to a grown man on an old rugged cross. He suffered and died for you and me. Let’s shower Him and each other with love each day, so all will know that Jesus is the way! That will be a great present.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Denis-Art
This article is part of our larger Christmas and Advent resource library centered around the events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ. 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!
What Is Advent: Meaning, History, and Traditions
Advent Prayers for Friends, Family, and More
What Is an Advent Wreath and How to Use One?
The History of Santa Claus: Origin of St. Nicholas
Christmas Bible Verses & Scripture Story
What is Christmas? True Meaning and Holiday History
Christmas Eve History and Traditions
Why Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh?
When Was Jesus Born? Why December 25th
Where Was Jesus Born?
