Gifts of the Magi

This week as we are counting down the days until Christmas, let’s look at two verses from the Biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus to center some thoughts. The verses focus on a group of political and religious leaders who followed a star to meet the newly born child in Bethlehem. Many trace the tradition of giving gifts at Christmas to the gifts of the Magi recorded in Scripture. As the Magi followed the star to the house where Mary, Joseph and Jesus were staying, these two verses from the Bible describe the scene.

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 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).

Today, let’s talk about the Magi and focus upon the word “gifts” in hopes we will learn this season what it means to be truly wise.

We Understand Gifts

Have you completed buying all of your gifts for Christmas? By statistics released by Forunly.com, holiday retail sales passed the trillion dollar mark in 2019, with the average household in the United States spending just a tad over $1500. According to America’s Research Group about one-third of Americans will complete at least 90% of their shopping by December 12th.

According to an earlier report on CNBC, holiday shoppers were planning to spend about $997 on gifts, decorations and food this Christmas. The total rounds out to about $500 less than last year. Most people say they are hesitant to buy non-gift items for themselves or their home this year.

Amazon’s best-selling items right now connect with Alexa and its Echo products. A trivia/card game called, “Cards Against Humanity” earned the second best-selling gift award. The sub-title for the gift brags, “A Party Game for Horrible People.”

Think for a moment about the first Christmas gift-givers. Matthew alone mentions the story of The Three Kings, or Magi. Few personal details grace the Bible’s pages about these men. Most of our ideas about them spring from tradition or speculation. Scripture does not say how many wise men there were. The number of gits brought prompt the assumption of three travelers. beginning people have been fascinated with the identity of the Magi. Were they really kings? Where did they come from?

Legend or Fact?

In the J.R.R. Tolkien story, The Lord of the Rings, Galadriel says, “History became legend and legend became myth.” There are some that believe that is what has developed with the stories in the gospels. There are theologians who propose that the Wise Men amounts to no more than a pious tale or fable, concocted years after the birth of Jesus.

But more conservative believers hold that Matthew the apostle authored an account of Jesus’ life that represents accuracy because God was somehow involved in its writing and preservation. The legends around the gifts of the Magi involve speculations about the travelers that go beyond Matthew’s presentation.

Gnostic writers – those who Paul warned Christians about (1 Corinthians 15:35; Galatians 1:4-8; Colossians 2:8-10) – wrote expanded accounts of the birth of Jesus. At their heart, they were travelers from the east. Soon the stories circulating had them as stargazers and soothsayers, kings from Persia, India and Africa.

Following the Babylonian Captivity, many Jewish people were flourishing in the land and did not choose to return to their homeland. It is possible these men had some connection to Judaism through believers in the Babylonian area.

Stories Developed Beyond the Gospel Accounts

Interest in the Wise Men was so intense that legends began circulating about each of the three, including both their names and locations. Gaspar (or Caspar) is portrayed with brown hair, sometimes with a brown beard and sometimes clean shaven. He wears a green cloak with green jewels on it. He is said to be the King of Sheba. Gaspar brings the frankincense to Jesus.

Melchior is usually seen with long white hair and a white beard. He is adorned with a golden cloak. His throne is in Arabia. Melchior (taken from the Hebrew “melek” meaning king) brings gold to the new king.

Finally, Balthazar is pictured as having black skin, wearing a purple cloak. He also is seen with and without a beard. He is said to be the King of Egypt, Tarse and perhaps Ethiopia. Balthazar brings the gift of myrrh to the child.

Believe it or not, the Bible hints at the nature of the Wise Men in prophecy. The writings of the Old Testament prophet Isaiah give a glimpse of truth about their identity and even speaks to the gifts of the Magi.

because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. ⁶ A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord. ⁷ All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered to you; the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you (Isaiah 60:5b-7a NIV);

Following the Star

Midian, Ephah, Kedar and Nebaioth were all locations and tribes from northwestern Arabia. During the time of Jesus’ birth, the entire area was occupied by the kingdom of Nabatea. The Nabateans had close ties with King Herod the Great. This eastern religious rooted its beliefs in astrology. Like many of the people at this time, they were also looking for a coming Messiah. Remember, Isaiah lived about 700 years before the birth of Jesus.

The account of the Wise Men intrigues many. Their journey develops along two other historical threads. There are many who understand the star the travelers saw to be a conjunction of planets, like the alignment of Saturn and Jupiter which will take place in December of 2020. Others have uncovered records that the Nabatean king, Aretas IV, sent diplomats to the court of King Herod with lavish gifts about the time of Jesus’ birth.

The Three Kings recognized Jesus Christ as the Messiah while he was still a child, and traveled thousands of miles to worship him. They doggedly followed a star which led them to Jesus. By the time they met Jesus, he was in a house and was a child, not an infant, implying they arrived a year or more after his birth. In a very real sense, their gifts symbolize Christ’s identity and mission. God honored the wise men by warning them in a dream to go home by another route and not to report back to King Herod who would have surely put them to death.

The Gifts of the Magi

Not a gift card, the first gift mentioned was gold. Gold was the usual offering presented to kings by their subjects, or those wanting to pay respect. When the wise men presented gold, they were honoring Jesus with the very best they possessed, and they also were recognizing that Jesus was king. In ancient times, only royalty possessed gold.

GOLD: gift for a king

There is a lot of symbolism in the Bible around gold. It represents the most precious of metals. It is rare in its purest form. The gift of gold honored kings and royalty, acknowledging God as the ultimate King. King Solomon had an ivory throne with golden overlay (1 Kings 10:18). Furniture in the Tabernacle featured gold. Acacia wood and a gold overlay constituted the make-up of the Ark of the Covenant. The mercy seat and two cherubim used pure gold in its design (Exodus 25:10-21). A gold offering declared the relationship with God was treasured and valued. People constructing false gods used gold to craft their idols.

Jesus spoke 60 times of the kingdom of God during His ministry on earth. He proclaimed himself as King (Matthew 27:11). As He rode into the city of Jerusalem on a donkey, the people proclaimed, “Hosanna! Blessed is the King of Israel” (John 12:12-13). Pilate called Jesus King on three occasions (John 18:39; John 19:14; John 19:19). Jesus is King of kings, and Lord of lords.

FRANKINCENSE: gift for a priest

Frankincense was a very costly and fragrant gum distilled from a tree. The process resulted in an incense that burned easily and created much smoke. It was used in worship, where it was burned as a pleasant offering to God. Frankincense provided use as medicine and as perfume. The priest was tasked to offer pleasant aromas to God in worship through the burning of sacrifices. The gifts of the Magi included the expensive fragrance of frankincense.

Frankincense was an ingredient used in the sanctuary of the Lord (Exodus 30:34). It was also a part of the meat offering (Leviticus 2:1; 2:16; 6:15; 24:7). It was considered a sweet savor. Frankincense is also used as a symbol of prayer (Psalm 141:2; Luke 1:10; Revelation 8:3-5). The priestly work of Jesus is explained in detail in the book of Hebrews.

MYRRH: gift for a prophet

While frankincense represents sweetness, myrrh speaks of bitterness. Obtained from a tree in the same manner as frankincense, myrrh produced an aromatic gummy substance. When burned, it created a harsh fire, producing a bitter aroma with a smoke that would inflame the eyes. In Jesus’ time, people used myrrh chiefly to embalm the dead (John 19:39).

Myrrh was mixed into the oil that was used to anoint prophets for the divinely chosen work of revealing God and communicating His will and words to the people. The bitterness of the myrrh may well have symbolized the often bitter taste of the revelations the prophet was inspired to make. The Old Testament often describes the words from God as bitter in the mouth of the prophet. Today, as two thousand years ago, not everyone is willing to accept the words of Jesus the prophet.

When we think of Jesus as our prophet, priest and King, we often think of Him in terms of the work and service He performed on our behalf. The images of the ministry of Christ shine through each of the gifts of the Magi presented so many years ago.

Wrapping Your Gift in Wisdom & Love

This Christmas, as you wrap all of your perfect gifts for each individual, challenge yourself to give one more gift – a gift that represents the true meaning of the season in your life. Perhaps it should go to your favorite charity. Maybe you know a father up the street who is out of work. Let your gift be like the gifts of the Magi, showing true wisdom this holiday season by demonstrating who you serve as King.