When most of us picture the Christmas story, we imagine shepherds kneeling beside a manger, angels hovering above and three Wise Men standing close by, holding gold, frankincense and myrrh. It is a beautiful image, but it is not exactly how the Bible describes their arrival. Scripture tells us that the Wise Men did not meet Jesus in a manger at all. In fact, Matthew records that they saw a “young child” inside a “house,” suggesting their visit came later— perhaps months, or even two years, after Christ’s birth.
Yet, even though their timing was different from how we often portray it, the heart of their visit teaches us something profoundly important about who Jesus is and why He came. Their gifts were not random expressions of generosity. They were costly, intentional and deeply symbolic. Each gift represented a truth about Jesus that still speaks to us today.
The first gift mentioned: gold, is a substance historically associated with royalty. In ancient cultures, kings possessed gold, sat on golden thrones and measured their wealth and authority by the amount of gold they held. By presenting gold, the Wise Men were acknowledging Jesus as King—not simply a future ruler, but the One whose Kingdom would never end.
This truth is reflected in Scripture long before Bethlehem. The prophet Isaiah declared that “the government shall be upon his shoulder,” and the book of Revelation calls Him “King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.” When those Wise Men laid gold bef ore the child Jesus, they were reco gnizing what heaven already knew—Christ had come, not only to save humanity, but to reign over it.
The second gift was frankincense, a costly resin used in worship. In the Old Testament, frankincense was reserved for the service of God. Priests burned frankincense on the altar in the Tabernacle and Temple, symbolizing worship ascending toward heaven. To give frankincense to Jesus was to acknowledge His divinity— His sinless and holy nature.
This gift reminds us that Jesus was not simply a remarkable man or a moral teacher. He was, and is, the sinless Son of God. The Bible declares that He “did no sin,” and “in Him is no sin.” The Wise Men did not merely honor a child; they wors hiped Him. The third gift, myrrh,
is perhaps the most surprising of all. Myrrh was used in burial. In John’s Gospel, we read that myrrh was used to prepare the body of Jesus after the crucifixion. Imagine offering burial spices to a toddler. Yet this gift pointed to the very reason Jesus came. He was born to die. From the wooden cradle of Bethlehem to the wooden cross of Calvary, His path was marked from the beginning by God’s redemptive plan.
While His birth inspires joy, it is His death and resurrection that offer salvation. Myrrh reminds us that Christmas cannot be separated from the cross, and that the hope offered in Bethlehem only makes sense when seen through the empty tomb.
And so, these three extraordinary gifts tell the entire Gospel story: Gold says He is King. Frankincense says He is God.
Myrrh says He is the Savior of the world.
Those Wise Men traveled a great distance, guided by a star, searching for a Savior they had only heard about. When they finally arrived, they did not hesitate, question or analyze. The Bible says simply, “they fell down, and worshiped Him.” Their first response was worship. Their second response was giving. In that order.
There is a lesson in that for all of us. Before we give Christ anything—our time, our service or our resources— we should first give Him our worship. He deserves more than seasonal attention. He deserves our hearts.
So this Christmas, when you see a nativity scene, don’t just see shepherds and a manger. Remember the Wise Men who arrived later—men who taught us that Christ is worthy of our worship, deserving of our devotion and sufficient for our salvation.
May the truth wrapped up in those ancient gifts speak hope to every heart this Christmas season.
Jimmy Barrett is a resident of Blackshear and pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Waycross.
Jimmy Barrett Guest Columnist [email protected]
