Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh

We three kings of orient are,

Bearing gifts we traverse afar . . .

I always loved this Christmas song! When I was a little girl, I witnessed a living nativity scene where each of the “three kings” sang the verse about his gift. It was a memorable night for me. Each wise man dressed in a different bright color of satin, each wearing a fake beard. (No one wore beards in those days; I guess they were out of style. I thought the wise men looked very funny!)  

We’ll travel farther back in time to that first visit from the wise men to little Jesus’ house:

The first approaches the tiny Boy. He worships Jesus. He sets his gold down next to the little One. He can’t keep his eyes from the face of this Child, his Savior.

Gold I bring to crown him again,

King forever, ceasing never,

over us all to reign.

The next wise man joins the first. In his hands is a box of the fragrant, amber resin called frankincense. It speaks of the Savior’s deity. It’s incense, to be offered with prayer.

Prayer and praising, all men raising,

Worship Him, God most high.

Another wise man comes close and begins to weep. His gift speaks of death. He knows the Child will give His life for him and for the sins of the whole world.

Myrrh is mine,

Its bitter perfume breathes

A life of gathering gloom.

Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,

Sealed in the stone cold tomb.

They worship. Grown men on their knees, praising God, praising the Child. Their gifts represent prophecy. The wise men love Him. They know they are seeing the promised Son of God. That little Person sitting on Mary’s lap is the Messiah!

Glorious now, behold Him arise,


King and God and Sacrifice.


Alleluia, Alleluia
, Earth to heav'n replies.





O Star of wonder, star of night,


Star with royal beauty bright.

Westward leading, still proceeding,


Guide us to Thy perfect light.

________________________________________

And when they were come into the house,

they saw the young child with Mary his mother,

and fell down, and worshipped him:

and when they had opened their treasures,

they presented unto him gifts; gold,

and frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11).