The 3 Gifts of the Magi: What they Teach Us About Our Faith
In the Christmas story, the three gifts of the Magi are recorded in the Gospel of Matthew.
Matthew highlights the Magi’s historic visit, but not the shepherds.
“And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!
They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
Matthew 2:9–11 NLT
The Gospel of Luke records the shepherds’ visit but not the Magi.
“When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.”
Luke 2:15-17 NLT
These Biblical recordings, along with the wise men’s long journey, place their visit much later than the shepherds, solidifying the belief that these were separate events.
It is believed that the Magi arrived between several months and up to 2 years after Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem.
Although nativity scenes and the advent season often feature the shepherds and the Magi together, the time line of the Magi’s gifts shouldn’t confuse our understanding of Jesus’ birth.
Because regardless of the timing, the shepherd’s and the gifts of the Magi highlight special aspects of the arrival of Jesus in human flesh and how He impacts every aspect of our lives.
Let’s examine the gifts of the Magi and explore what they reveal.
The Gifts of the Magi
While receiving gifts is genuinely touching, the giver is affected too, especially when sacrifice is involved.
The gifts of the Magi benefited Jesus, the wise men, and us, and understanding their significance reminds us to think about what we offer to our King.
The gifts of the Magi weren’t random. They were meaningful then and now, rich with symbolism, and deeply prophetic.
During the Christmas season, we are reminded of the Magi kneeling before Jesus, offering gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
These wise men gathering around Jesus is a pure, simple image pointing to what really matters as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.
Let’s look at each gift, its historical and biblical background, and why it matters to us.
The Gifts of the Magi: Gold
In the Bible and today, gold is a precious metal that symbolizes wealth and power.
The value of gold comes from its rarity, attractive appearance, and unique chemical properties.
Gold was often presented to kings as a tribute. In 1 Kings, it is recorded that the Queen of Sheba brought Solomon gold.
“Then she gave the king a gift of 9,000 pounds of gold, great quantities of spices, and precious jewels. Never again were so many spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.”
1 Kings 10:9-10 NLT
Gold represents kingship. By giving gold, the Magi acknowledged Jesus as King.
Revelation 19:16 calls Jesus “King of kings and Lord of lords.”
“On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.”
Revelation 19:16 NLT
What the Gift of Gold Teaches
–Gold is resistant to tarnishing, so it has lasting value. We have lasting value to God. Although our bodies break down, our spirits, when connected to Christ, have lasting value and will be with Him in eternity.
–Gold is beautiful in its natural state. We, too, have natural, authentic beauty when our identity is in Christ and we surrender to Him regardless of our mistakes and failures.
–Gold is malleable, which means it can be hammered and formed into various uses without losing its luster. We, too, are formed in the image of Christ and can maintain joy and peace despite the ‘hammering we face’ in this world.
–Gold reminds us to honor Jesus as the rightful King of our lives. A life honoring Jesus helps us live surrounded by His presence.
A.W. Tozer said, “Jesus Christ demands self-surrender. You must give yourself to Him.”
When we surrender and allow Jesus to reign over our lives, we will shine brightly like gold reflecting God’s love.
Questions for reflection during the Christmas season or in any season:
” Is Jesus King over every area of my life, or just parts of it? Have I surrendered to Him?”
The Gifts of the Magi: Frankincense
Frankincense is a fragrant resin from trees.
The resin was burned as incense for medicinal purposes and in temple worship.
In Exodus 30:34-35, we see God commanding the use of frankincense in the sacred incense.
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Gather fragrant spices—resin droplets, mollusk shell, and galbanum—and mix these fragrant spices with pure frankincense, weighed out in equal amounts.
Using the usual techniques of the incense maker, blend the spices together and sprinkle them with salt to produce a pure and holy incense.”
Exodus 34-35 NLT
The Biblical Meaning of frankincense is its representation of the royal priesthood and worship.
By presenting frankincense to Jesus, the Magi worshipped and acknowledged Him as the High Priest, the mediator between God and man.
“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT
Frankincense rising in smoke symbolized prayers ascending to God
“Accept my prayer as incense offered to you, and my upraised hands as an evening offering.”
Psalm 141:2 NLT
What the Gift of Frankincense Teaches
–Frankincense symbolizes Jesus as our King and Priest who intercedes for us and brings us into God’s presence.
–Frankincense challenges us to live faithfully as an act of worship.
–Frankincense reminds us that our aroma reaches far. What do we reflect, and what scent are we giving off?
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you.
Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”
Romans 12:1 NLT
The Gifts of the Magi: Myrrh
Myrrh is also a fragrant resin from trees, used in perfumes, anointing oil, and embalming.
In the Old Testament, myrrh was part of the sacred anointing oil.
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant calamus, 500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin of olive oil.”
Exodus 30:22-24 NIV
In the New Testament, myrrh appears at Jesus’ burial.
John 19:39 records Nicodemus bringing myrrh and aloes to prepare His body.
“With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes.”
John 19:39 NLT
Myrrh represents sacrifice and suffering, and the Magi unknowingly foreshadowed Jesus’ death and burial.
“He was pierced for our transgressions… by His wounds we are healed.”
Isaiah 53:5
What the Gift of Myrrh Teaches
–Myrrh points us to the cross. Jesus was born to die and sacrificed His life so that we might live.
–Myrrh reminds us that following Jesus sometimes involves sacrifice, but always leads to resurrection hope.
–Myrrh represents the struggles we face and how we become overcomers when we stay connected to Him and trust Him completely.
“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The Importance of the Gifts of the Magi
Understanding the gifts of the Magi brings special meaning to the wise men’s encounter with Christ.
- Gold points to Jesus as King. Will we surrender to Him? Release what we are tightly holding onto and step into freedom.
- Frankincense points to Jesus as our Priest. Will our life be an act of worship as we draw near to Him?
- Myrrh points to Jesus as Savior through all circumstances. Will we trust Him with our disappointment and sorrow and live with hope?
The Magi came from afar, searching for a King. When they found Him, they gave their best.
May we give our best, the gift of our whole lives, to the One who is King and Savior.
Prayer
Jesus, thank You that You are our King, our Priest, and our Savior. Thank You for the gift of Your life, given for us.
Help us to honor You with the gold of our surrender, the frankincense of our worship, and the myrrh of our sacrifices.
May our lives be a continual offering to You.
Amen.
Author
Mary Rooney Armand
Mary is the founder and writer for the faith-based blog ButterflyLiving.org. Her writing is featured in multiple anthologies and websites, and she is the author of Uniquely Made: Understanding and Embracing Your Identity in Christ, as well as the collaboration Life Changing Stories, both available on Amazon. Get to know Mary and the other authors of ButterflyLiving on YouTube.
