Then they opened their
treasures and presented him with gifts of
gold, frankincense and myrrh Matthew 2:11
Many
a Christmas tableau and
drama depicts the scene of the Wise men giving Jesus the gifts of gold, frankincense and
myrrh. We know about this through songs, movies, skits and perhaps
view it mechanically.
With
Gold at around Rs. 33000/- for 10 grams ( in India ) and
around US$ 1700 an ounce it is
expensive. I have never been able to purchase pure Frankincense though I
have experienced its fragrance and have not seen Myrrh.These items are rare and
precious and few have access to them.
Extraction
of gold, frankincense and myrrh is arduous. Gold is mined from great depths, extracted from rocks which are crushed into gravel and made into a
sludge to separate gold from rock. This gold is then refined in fire to get
pure gold. Frankincense and Myrrh are products of trees, however
they are not fruits, seeds or leaves which can just be plucked but resins. In
both cases the process of extraction involves cutting the bark of particular
trees to allow resin to flow out. The resins forms a residue on the bark which
is scraped away for purification. In fact the price of all three was similar
during those Biblical times.
All
the three substances are gifts in their
purest form.
When
we gift anything to anyone do we gift
with the purest of motives? Perhaps there
is an opportunity to review our motives when we give gifts.
When
I look at each of them I find some significance which prompts me to
reflect and ask myself some questions.
Gold
as a substance is treasured by many a
family and is desirable as it has
lasting value. Are the gifts that I give of Value? Can the gifts we give have an element of
permanency?
Frankincense is experienced best when it is burnt. Its fragrance permeates the
surroundings and gives a pleasant smell. It is also used as a fumigant. The thought from Frankincense is what is the quality
and intensity of my Impact?
Myrrh
is used largely to preserve and embalm. It is also used as medicine as it has
healing properties. It was used to embalm the mummies in
Egypt. A couple of generations
later people can see the effect of the properties of
myrrh. Myrrh is one which gives us the gift of Legacy. The Past is preserved for the future. What is the Legacy
I would like to leave for the generations which come after me?
This Christmas I would urge us all to look beyond
Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh and see how your
gifts can Create Value, Make an Impact and leave a Legacy even
as we receive the gift of Hope and Salvation from Jesus.
Wish
you and your loved ones a very Happy and
Blessed Christmas.
December 2012
