THREE GIFTS FOR A KING

Three Kings


By Beth Ann

Since we are in the Christmas season it seems appropriate that we should discuss Christmas and the story of the Christ child. So let’s look at the Three Gifts For A King.

Churches everywhere are hosting Christmas pageants and cantatas which present the story of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Children (and adults) will be playing the rolls of the parents, the shepherds, a heavenly host (there’s usually at least one actor with a black eye-literally). From the visiting of an angel to Mary, the mother of Jesus, to the dream of Joseph, the betrothed of Mary… to the journey to Bethlehem…so much took place during that Holy time and on that Blessed night.

We always seem to have government getting in the way – we have king DC, while Joseph and Mary had Caesar Augustus. Good old Caesar needed his taxes and there was a decree that all should go to their place of origin to pay their taxes. I guess they didn’t have an IRS in the local area. So from Nazareth to Bethlehem this young mother accompanied her betrothed while in the latter days of her pregnancy.

Tonight I attended a children’s Christmas program and brought two grandchildren home with me for the night, as their mother will be giving birth tomorrow morning to a new baby brother, Levi. I cannot imagine her (or me back in those childbearing years) taking a trip on a donkey; OUCH!

The journey was completed as they arrived in the small town of Bethlehem, only to discover there was no room in the inn. Mary was obviously close to giving birth, so the innkeeper offered them all he had, shelter in a stable.

We’ve all watched the children’s pageants as they dress in robes and carry sticks to play the shepherds, to whom the angels announced the birth of The King…after the shepherds visited, the three Wise Men enter the scene; kings from the east carrying “gifts from afar.”

In the reality of the story, the kings (there may have been more than three) came much later, as they followed that star to the child. Remember it was after their warning that Joseph and Mary took Jesus and left Bethlehem, as the jealous “king” was going to harm the baby. Because there were three gifts given, we always envision just three Wise Men.

Matthew 2:11 “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” (NIV)

Or in the KJV: “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.”

NOTE: The kings (Wise Men) came to a house, not a stable.

GOLD – FRANKINCENSE AND MYRRH

The gift of Frankincense is said to have been an acknowledgement of Jesus’ priesthood, setting him apart from a typical baby. Frankincense was the incense burned in the temple as the sacrifices were made. Frankincense is a white resin or gum obtained from a tree by making incisions in the bark and allowing the gum (sap) to flow out. Frankincense is highly fragrant when burned and was used in worship where it was burned as a pleasant offering to God. (Exodus 30:34). Frankincense is a symbol of holiness and righteousness, symbolic of Christ’s willingness to become the sacrifice for the world.

Myrrh was another spice obtained from a tree in the same manner as frankincense, however, myrrh was a spice used for the purpose of embalming. It was also used with wine to form a drink that was a stupefying potion which was offered to our Savoir prior to his crucifixion. (Mark 15:23) Myrrh symbolizes bitterness, suffering and affliction. Of course we know that the baby Jesus would grow to suffer greatly as a man and would pay the ultimate price when He gave His life on the cross for all.

Gold is a precious metal and was (is) a very valuable commodity. The gold could have very well financed Joseph and Mary’s trip to Egypt. While the Bible never specifically mentions the significance of these three gifts, gold is a symbol of divinity and is mentioned throughout the Bible. Pagan idols were often made from gold and the Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with gold (Exodus 25:10-17). The gift of gold to the Christ child was symbolic of His divinity in flesh.

The Hebrew word for money is “Keceph,” which is translated to mean silver.

We might not be kings of wealth or power (…although I am a daughter of the King, God the Father…) we do understand there is value in gold and silver. We like jewelry from these precious metals and we appreciate the value of them in coin/currency.

Did you know that gold is mentioned in the Bible 417 times and silver is mentioned 320 times…money is mentioned 140 times, referring to physical silver and gold.
(In The King James Bible)

Gold makes sense as an acknowledgement of royalty. Gold was (is) valuable, beautiful, and long-lasting. Scholars generally agree that the gift of gold represented Jesus as a king with an everlasting throne.

Whether over two thousand years ago or today – gold and silver have the same value, the same beauty and are long-lasting!

Three gifts for the king! Many today use that number as a gift guide within their families – only 3 gifts…

What are you giving for Christmas this year, or birthdays or Hanukah or just because? Invest in a gift that is worthy of a king… Give GOLD or SILVER!

Unless you’re participating in a “white elephant” gift exchange or a “sneaky Santa” gift exchange, make your gifts count. I once heard to give a gift that keeps on giving, give a female kitten… I’m joking of course!

Gold and Silver will forever remain gifts of value – practical and everlasting.

Let Melody Cedarstrom help make your Christmas Merry! There isn’t a more honest company than Discount Gold and Silver Trading. Melody and her staff will help you with any questions you might have, and assist you with your precious metal purchasing needs. Give them a call at 800-375-4188.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A “GOLD LIFE”

Visit CSC Talk Radio and listen to Beth Ann each weekday morning. www.CSCTalkRadio.com – Follow on Facebook and tweet with Beth Ann on Twitter.