One of the last gifts that my maternal grandfather gave to me was a book. I think that I was about thirteen years old. It was a book of prayers. It was a book of prayers written specifically for a teenage boy, and my grandfather said that the book was something he thought I might need. Normally a book tells a story. This particular book foretold my future. The gift was an indication of the life ahead.
It is the same with the three gifts that were given to the Lord Jesus by the magi from the east. The gifts that the magi brought to the Lord Jesus were an indication of the identity of the child and of his mission. In these gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that were given to the child Jesus, we see who he is and what he is sent to do.
Gold is the gift for a king. It is a sign of royal dignity. The Lord Jesus was born to be king of Israel, yet from all eternity he reigned in heaven. Jesus Christ is the king who will establish a universal kingdom, a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace. He is the king who conquers sin and he will conquer death forever. Jesus Christ is the king who will take his place at the right hand of the power and majesty of God the Father. The magi bring him gold, because the child is a king.
Frankincense is the gift for a priest. Frankincense is used as a sign of honor and reverence and it is a symbol of prayer. We use incense in the celebration of the liturgy to signify and honor the presence of Christ in the altar, the words of the Gospel, the holy gifts, the priest, and the holy people of God. Christ is the High Priest of our confession of faith. He is the one who was sent from the Father and he unites us to heaven’s unceasing song of praise. He is the one who returns to the Father offering the blood of sacrifice. The Lord Jesus is the high priest who enters the temple that was not made by human hands. He is the high priest who lives forever to make intercession for us. The magi bring him frankincense because the child is a priest.
The gift of myrrh is prophetic. Myrrh is very, very expensive. It is possible that the gift of myrrh was more valuable than the gold or the frankincense. Myrrh is used to prepare a body for burial. This gift is given because the Lord Jesus was born to die. The Lord Jesus is the king of the universe, the high priest of our confession, and he is the lamb of sacrifice. He is the victim and the acceptable offering for the sins of the world. Through him, all of the other sacrifices of the temple will come to an end. Through him, and with him, and in him, all of the sacrifices of our lives of faith will be received in the presence of the Most High God. The magi bring him the gift of myrrh because the Lord Jesus will die for the sins of the world.
In the early years of his earthly life, the magi brought the child Jesus the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts were an indication of who the child was called to be. We were not brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but in the waters of baptism, we were given faith, hope, and love. These divine gifts were given to each of us as an indication of who we are called to be. Our faith, which is more precious than gold, our hope, which does not disappoint, and our love, which is stronger than sin and death, brings us closer to the Lord Jesus and prepares us for the eternal life ahead. Amen.
