On the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6, we celebrate the arrival of the three Kings from the East, sometimes called the Three Wise Men, or the Three Magi. The identification of the Magi as kings is linked to Old Testament prophesies that have the Messiah being worshipped by kings in Isaiah 60:3, Psalm 72:10, and Psalm 68:29.
Following the trail of a new star in the heavens, they journeyed far, seeking to learn the identity of this new heavenly king. The gifts they brought to the Baby Jesus have a spiritual significance that goes beyond their inherent value . They reflect the three-fold aspect of Jesus’ ministry as king, priest and sacrifice.
GOLD-Gold was the Gift given by Melchior, a king of Arabia. He is said to have been the oldest of the Three Kings. Gold is a gift given to a King, and it recognizes that Jesus is the King of Kings, of the royal lineage of the house of King David.
FRANKINCENSE-Frankincense was the Gift given by Balthazar, a king from Saba - present day southern Yemen. Frankincense is resin from the dried sap of the Boswellia tree – a tree that has grown on the craggy slopes of the Arabian Sea for thousand of years. In ancient times, Frankincense and Gold were equally valuable. Frankincense is harvested by making slits in the bark of the tree and letting the resin slowly bleed out and harden into white “tears” of Frankincense The primary use of Frankincense is the same today as it was in ancient times: it is a very strong incense with a sweet aroma that is used today at Mass. Thus it honors Jesus as our Eternal High Priest, who continually makes supplication for us before the Throne of God.
MYRRH-The Gift given by Caspar, a king from Tarsus – present day Southern Turkey. At the time of Christ, the world’s finest Myrrh came from Southern Arabia and it is generally thought that this was the origin of Caspar's gift. Myrrh is resin from the Commiphora tree and is harvested by cutting slits in the bark of the tree from which Myrrh resin hardens into dark red crystals. In ancient times, Myrrh was among the most valuable substances known and, at the time of the birth of Christ, it was worth seven times its weight in gold. It can be used as an incense or it can be ground into a powder and mixed with other oils to make a balm or processed into an oil. In ancient times, myrrh was used in the mummification of the Pharaohs in Ancient Egypt and to anoint bodies before burial.
Myrrh is the gift that foretells Christ’s Passion, Death and Burial, His suffering as Sacrifice for our sins.
The next time you sing, “We Three Kings of Orient Are,” remember what the gifts proclaim about the nature of Christ:
king, priest, and sacrifice.
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