Advent Day 20 - Symbol of Christmas: Gifts

For most Christmas celebrating families, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without presents. Many families spend hundreds of dollars each year to give gifts to every member of their family, teachers, coworkers, and some even their delivery person.

But why do we give gifts at Christmas?

The very first Christmas gifts were brought by the wise men to honour the new born King Jesus. Can you name them?

- Gold

- Frankincense

- Myrrh

Why were these gifts chosen? Why were they significant?

Gold

While the value of gold seems to rise and fall on the stock market, there is no doubt that gold always holds value. Gold in ancient times was a symbol of a king or deity. Jesus was both.

Frankincense

Frankincense, or as my mum often mistakenly calls it Frankenstein (HA! Love you mama) is a peculiar one. If you happen to be an oily (essential oil user/believer) then frankincense is no doubt in your collection. What's more, if you have ever purchased high quality, truly pure frankincense essential oil, then you know it is not cheap. Even today. A 15ml bottle of pure frankincense essential oil from Young Living will set you back $163.90 (retail price). This oil is used as incense in some churches. Furthermore it symbolised Jesus as our High Priest.

Myrrh

Myrrh is one I don't know much about, but I've read it was used as an anointing oil and also in embalming. Biblical Archeology suggest that this gift symbolised Jesus' suffering and death.

Frankincense and Myrrh are also said to be great for various uses:

• grounding aroma

• beautifying properties

• Preserver (myrrh)

• relaxation

• Support for arthritis pain (frankincense)

I've heard a suggestion that perhaps the wise men or magi brought these gifts to Jesus as an immunity support. It's also been suggested that because the value of the gifts, Mary and Joseph upon fleeing Bethlehem to Egypt could sell these gifts and afford to live in Egypt comfortably for an extended length of time.

I love that no matter why the gifts were given to Jesus, God made them useful and a way of providing for His Son and His family while on this earth.

I hope that this year the gifts you choose to give are ones that will provide for your loved ones and will be a blessing.

N.