The Christmas story, a timeless narrative recounted annually, brims with profound symbolism and enduring lessons. We delve into the accounts in Luke and Matthew, each year uncovering fresh insights into God’s boundless love and salvation. Among the familiar figures, the Wise Men, or Magi, stand out as enigmatic yet pivotal characters in the Nativity narrative.
These foreign dignitaries appear seemingly out of nowhere, guided by a celestial sign, and after bestowing their gifts and paying homage to the infant Jesus, they vanish back into obscurity, heeding a divine warning to avoid Herod. Their brief but significant presence is marked by three extraordinary gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These weren’t typical baby shower presents; instead, divinely orchestrated, they foreshadowed the destiny and multifaceted nature of the man this child would become. Let’s explore the profound meaning embedded within these gifts and what they signify, especially when considering meaningful gifts for men today.
Gold: A Gift for a King, A Testament to His Reign
The first gift, gold, immediately speaks of royalty. Throughout history, gold has been synonymous with kingship and opulence. Recall the Queen of Sheba’s visit to Solomon, where she presented him with an “abundance of gold and precious stones,” acknowledging his legendary status and kingly splendor. Gold, therefore, was unequivocally a gift befitting a king. This aligns perfectly with the Magi’s quest. They journeyed to Jerusalem, inquiring, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Their purpose was clear: to honor a newborn king.
Gold serves as a potent reminder that Jesus is not merely a benevolent teacher or prophet, but the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. His dominion extends over the entire universe, and He reigns with absolute authority. This gift foreshadows the ultimate authority bestowed upon Him, as declared in Matthew 28:18: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Acknowledging Jesus as King is central to Christian faith. As the hymn “O Holy Night” proclaims, “Christ is the Lord; O praise His name forever! His power and glory evermore proclaim.” This truth, that Jesus is Lord, is transformative, a point emphasized by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:3: “no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except in the Holy Spirit.” Recognizing and celebrating Christ the King is the very mission God sent His Son and Spirit to accomplish. For men seeking gifts of profound significance, gold, in its symbolic richness, represents the ultimate acknowledgement of Jesus’s sovereign reign.
Frankincense: The Scent of Divinity, Honoring His Priestly Role
Frankincense, the second gift, might seem less familiar in modern households, though its resurgence in essential oil practices has increased awareness. However, its significance in ancient worship is undeniable. In the Old Testament, Exodus 30:34 details God’s instruction to Moses regarding incense preparation, specifying “sweet spices with pure frankincense.” This sacred incense was burned daily in the tabernacle, offered as “a pleasing aroma to the LORD,” signifying worship and sacrifice.
Frankincense, therefore, represents Jesus’s role as our High Priest and the ultimate, substitutionary sacrifice for our sins. It foreshadows His perfect life, offered as a fragrant offering, and His wrath-satisfying death on behalf of humanity before a holy God. Jesus Himself declared, “I have accomplished the work that you gave me to do” (John 17:4). He, “for our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Now, resurrected and ascended, He intercedes for us at the right hand of God (Romans 8:34). Jesus continues to act as a pleasing aroma before the Father on our behalf, our eternal High Priest. For men, considering gifts that reflect faith and spirituality, frankincense, even in its modern oil form, can symbolize the precious and pleasing sacrifice of Christ.
The gift of frankincense reminds us that our salvation and standing before God are not based on our efforts, but on the perfect work of Jesus. It is His perfection that makes us acceptable to God, paying the penalty for our sins. This gift subtly hints at the transition from the Old Covenant to the New, as Jesus fulfills and completes the sacrificial system through His own eternal and perfect life offered for us.
Myrrh: An Anointing for Burial, Pointing to His Sacrificial Death and Victory
Myrrh, the final gift, is perhaps the most unusual in a birth narrative. It’s less likely to be found in contemporary homes, even amongst essential oil enthusiasts. In the Old Testament, myrrh was a key ingredient in the sacred anointing oil used to consecrate the tabernacle, priests, and temple instruments, setting them apart for holy service.
However, in the New Testament, myrrh takes on a somber association with death and burial, specifically Jesus’s death. On the cross, Jesus was offered “wine mixed with myrrh” (Mark 15:23), likely as a pain-numbing agent, which He refused, choosing to fully experience the agony of the cross for our sakes. Myrrh’s most prominent New Testament appearance is in Jesus’s burial: “Nicodemus also…came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews” (John 19:39-40).
Myrrh, given at His birth, is a poignant reminder that this baby was born to die. This gift, given at the beginning of His earthly life, would be used in preparation for His burial. Myrrh, typically used to mask the stench of death, in Jesus’s case, ultimately could not contain the victory of life over death. The expectation was that myrrh would conceal decay, but instead, Jesus was resurrected. His wounds were healed, and the stench of death was replaced by the aroma of victory. Only the marks on His hands, feet, and side remained, testaments to His sacrifice and resurrection. Myrrh points to the finished work of Christ, where our sins are buried with Him in the tomb, forever eradicated for those who trust in Him. From that tomb emerged not decay, but the victorious Savior. Our sins, crucified with Him, are removed “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12). For men seeking gifts that acknowledge the totality of Christ’s mission, myrrh, though associated with death, ultimately signifies resurrection and victory over sin.
Jesus’s Gift to Us: Salvation and Hope
Mary and Joseph may have pondered the unusual nature of the Magi’s gifts. Perhaps the gold financed their sojourn in Egypt. The frankincense and myrrh might have been sold to sustain them in Nazareth. But for us, these gifts serve as enduring symbols. They remind us that the King of Kings humbled Himself to become a baby, offering Himself as a fragrant and perfect sacrifice. This perfect life was willingly given on the cross. He became the Lamb of God, taking away the sin of the world. He was buried, prepared for death with spices like myrrh, but this burial was temporary. He rose again, offering the gift of eternal life.
It may seem paradoxical to celebrate a birth in light of an eventual death, but we understand that Jesus’s birth, life, death, and resurrection are our sole source of peace, joy, and lasting hope. Jesus lives and reigns, offering the gift of salvation to all who believe. As you consider gifts for men this season, remember the profound gifts given to Jesus. Perhaps the most meaningful gift you can offer and receive this Christmas is the gift of worship, devotion, and acknowledging your need for the Savior. Consider the message of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They speak of a King, a Priest, and a Savior who gave the ultimate gift for all of mankind.
Merry Christmas. May your time with family and loved ones be filled with joy and reflection on the greatest gift of all.
