The scriptural account of the visit of the wise men to
Jesus and His mother states that they fell down and worshipped Him and
presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
The gifts
that were given to Christ child were costly gifts that were by custom given to
royalty but the Magi gave them to more than a king. Matthew records that ‘there
came wise men from the east to Jerusalem’ asking ‘where is the child that is
born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east and are come to
worship him’ (Matthew 2:2). However, the Joseph Smith Inspired Translation
reads ‘where is the child that is born the Messiah of the Jews?’
Bruce R.
McConkie noted the probability that the Magi were themselves Jews who lived, as
millions of Jews then did, in one of the nations to the East. He went on to say
that it was the Jews who were acquainted with the scriptures and the prophecies
regarding Christ’s birth and that first witnesses of His birth were to come
from the House of Israel and not from the Gentile nations (see Bruce R.
McConkie, The Mortal Messiah Book 1, 358)
If this is
so, the gifts presented to Christ child were gifts fit not only for a King but
for a God. Much has been written about these gifts by way of speculation but a
close look reveals that these gifts might not have been given by chance and
that the Magi were more in tune with the divine than we think. Consider just
one of them, frankincense.
When
Jehovah instructed Moses to make an holy anointing oil, He named specific sweet
spices and instructed how they should be made with ‘pure frankincense’ and
added: “Upon man’s flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any
other like it….it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you….whosoever putteth any
of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people”. Instruction was
also given for making of perfume with frankincense which was ‘holy for the
Lord’ and not meant to be used for the congregation (Exodus 30: 37).
The mental
and physical healing properties of the frankincense oil are well documented. It
is best known for its ability to clear and focus the mind suggesting a
spiritual quality to it. Today its price can range between $30.00 and $14,850. A
gift fit for a god indeed…..for all the earth is His and everything in it!
My favourite
Christmas song is The Little Drummer Boy. I don’t know how many tears I have
shed listening to this song. What touches me most is that the little drummer
boy had no gift to give to the King. Such a contrast to the wealthy Magi.
I was born
and raised in a socialist country but in a strong Catholic community. Exchanging
of gifts at Christmas was not a custom. There was no commercialism. The birth
of Christ was revered in my childhood. Since I have lived in Australia, I have
never figured out why we give each other gifts when we celebrate Christ’s
birthday. Does it help us remember He is our greatest gift?
The Little
Drummer Boy had no riches to give the King but he gave something of himself and
it was accepted. Perhaps it would be more advantageous to give the Saviour something
of ourselves this Christmas….such as an act of service, a missionary moment, a
commitment to give up a weakness or a sin, to meaningfully partake of the
Sacrament each Sunday, to express more love, to judge less, to be more merciful,
to obey Him more, to love Him more, to strive to be like Him……after all, the
best gift He would want would be ME and YOU.
We are
worth far more than frankincense.
- CATHRYNE ALLEN
(Art: The Holy Men by Liz Lemon Swindle)
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