I want to extend my deepest thanks to Pastor Skip Heitzig for his latest sermon series on the three gifts of the magi. Doing an in-depth study on the wise men and their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh in the Biblical Christmas narrative is fascinating and a delight to this Bible loving gal. In the interest of giving credit to where it is due, the inspiration for this post comes from the notes I took from Pastor Skip’s Sunday sermon. Be encouraged dear readers and Merry Christmas!
Scene from “A Christmas Story”, image found in public domain.
Have you ever received a gift at Christmas that was well… strange or awkward?
I have. So did Ralphie.
Remember Ralphie, the central character in the movie A Christmas Story? He received pink bunny jammies as a Christmas gift.
Most of us can probably relate to poor Ralphie. I wonder if Mary, the mother of Jesus, could relate as well? Time had passed; and her infant son was now toddling around the house. The cattle was no longer lowing around her, and her so-called “silent night” turned into busy days filled with housekeeping and child rearing.
And then wise men appeared at her door, bearing gifts for her son.
Gold: so shiny and powerful.
Frankincense: so costly and fragrant.
Myrrh: wait… what?
When Mary looked at the myrrh, she might have felt the same as Ralphie did when he beheld his pink bunny jammies.
Scene from “A Christmas Story”, image found in public domain.
Myrrh was an ancient resin that was used in a variety of ways. Myrrh was used in women’s beauty treatments, perfume, or it was used to dull the pain of minor aches and sprains.
Myrrh was also used in the embalming of a deceased person.
What a strange or awkward gift to bring to a small child… or was it that strange or awkward?
“Unless you do not see the shadow of the cross falling on the crib, you won’t see the crib clearly at all… The purpose of the crib was the cross.” ~Pastor Skip Heitzig
The gift of myrrh was a beautiful, symbolic reminder of the purpose of Jesus’ birth. Mary knew this. So did the magi. These wise, powerful, and esteemed men had known their place before a wide-eyed, babbling little boy. They traveled a great distance to worship and to give costly gifts to the young Jesus, because through Him, and only Him, the salvation of all mankind would and did come.
The purpose of the crib was indeed the cross.
image courtesy of “digidreamgrafix”/freedigitalphotos.net
Not only was myrrh gifted to Jesus at the beginning of His life by the magi, but myrrh was also offered to Jesus by Roman guards as He hung dying on the cross. Jesus refused to drink the mixture that contained myrrh though, because He knew it would numb His pain. (Mark 15:23) Once Jesus died, his body was bound in linen cloths, spices, and wait for it… myrrh. (John 19:39-40)
This is so beautiful to me.
Myrrh at the beginning. Myrrh at the end. A gift that is truly fitting for the King of Kings. Even the best Christmas light display, beautifully wrapped gift or beauty of new fallen snow pales in comparison.
This friends, is Christmas.
The gift of myrrh was not like Ralphie’s pink bunny jammies. I think Mary realized this and treasured what it represented. So should we.
The cross could not have happened without the crib.
Jesus came to earth and fulfilled His purpose. He will come again, and His second coming will be nothing like the first.
Prepare Him room. Not in another stable, but in your heart.
O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
So good, Traci. I really appreciated this. I am always saying that there is so much more for us to learn from the Bible. Thank you for the new knowledge you have given me today. Merry Christmas to you. Much love. xoxo
Thank you sweet friend! The Sunday sermon really spoke to me and I just had to share it with you all- you know how I love the details of Scripture 🙂 I am thankful your heart was touched by it and Merry Christmas!