Article by Harry Marcus
…George, Nicky, Maria, Anna?…
And the list goes on and on. Yes, “it that time of year” as the Christmas lyrics go. We now start running up and down the aisles looking for gifts for those special people in our lives. Or sometimes, unfortunately, just to insure we haven’t offended someone. But how much thought have we given to the One who’s birthday we are celebrating?
History states that He was given gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, by three Wise men. But what did those gifts signify? Gold in Biblical times was the most precious of all metals. In fact it was the one chief measure of wealth. Would it be too far a stretch to assume that the Wise men, through their research in Old Testament readings, recognized that they were in the presence of the King?
Frankincense, a resin burned as incense, even today is used in the Middle East for religious and ceremonial worship. Highly costly in that time period and used in Temple worship. Once again, perhaps, the Wise men recognized holiness and one to be worshiped. And finally Myrrh, again a spice that is used as incense but in that time was also used as a main ingredient in the preparation of the body for burial. Perhaps a foretelling of the future for the greatest gift ever given, His life to us on the Cross.
Have we thought about Christmas this way?
Are you ready to meet the Master…
To see Him face to face…
To realize you are only there…
Because of His GIFT of grace…
Read more articles from VOM Magazine here: https://www.veteransoutreachministries.org/vom-magazine/
