This thought was first published in January 2021
Reflection on Matthew 2; Verse 10
“When the Wise Men saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his Mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chest, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
Have you seen the joke that is circulating on Facebook regarding the Wise Men? Apparently, the Wise Men are not able to offer their gifts to the Christ Child this year as they come from three separate households.
Taken on a deeper level we might ask, as we do in Godly Play;
“What is the best gift you have ever received?”
The Magi (or Wise Men) arrive in Bethlehem. They recognised the one for whom they had been searching and worshipped him. It is the nature of the gifts however, that fascinates me – the gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Gold has two sides to it – it is a symbol of wealth and power, but also of greed and selfishness. Then, as today, people killed for gold; because of gold, people constructed edifices of injustice, degradation and oppression.
Frankincense symbolises the rising up of prayer and devotion. The lifting of our aspirations and hopes to God.
Myrrh is the symbol of suffering and pain.
Is this not why one of the Magi in TS. Eliot’s poem ‘Journey of the Magi ‘returned home wondering what he had seen – was it birth or death? Clearly, from the very beginning of the Gospel story, Christmas and Easter, Incarnation and Resurrection, Manger and Cross are meant to be seen as one.
Can we imagine that we are one of the Magi in this story? What gifts do we bring?
Let the gold we offer, be our hope that wealth can be distributed justly and used with justice today.
Let the frankincense we offer, be our hope that although people may travel towards the Christ child in many faceted ways, God in Christ has bestowed dignity and equality on all.
Let the myrrh we offer, be our prayer that we and all people, become more and more willing to share the sufferings of others and ease the pain and loneliness that too many struggle with today. I hope that you have received significant gifts in your lifetime, especially those gifts that help you in your Faith journey? It matters greatly how we give and receive gifts. Christ the healer who bestows the gift of eternal life once received an anointing with such grace and gratitude.
A Prayer
Jesus Christ our lord, you are the most precious gift of all.
Help us this year to be aware of the gifts you give daily and to be ever grateful. Help us to give and receive with an attitude that is pleasing to you.
Amen