The Magi's Gifts

Each year at every Mass for Epiphany, we read about the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus. As seen in today’s gospel: “They [the Magi] prostrated themselves and did him [Jesus Christ] homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” What pushed the Magi to undertake this tedious journey from the east? The answer is found in the connection between the ancient meaning and the Christian meaning of the gifts the Magi presented to Jesus. 

First is the gift of gold. Ancients regarded gold as the king of metals. Therefore, it made an ideal gift for a king. Christians interpret the gift of gold as standing for the kingship of Jesus. Concerning Christ's kingship, Paul writes: [The Father] worked in raising him [Christ] from the dead and seating him at his right side in the heavens... And he put all things beneath his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church” (Eph. 1: 20-22) 

Second is the gift of incense. Ancients used incense in their worship. The aroma and the smoke rising heavenward spoke to them of gods and divinity. Christians interpret the gift of incense as standing for the divinity of Jesus. Speaking of this divinity, the Letter to the Hebrews says: "[Jesus] who is the refulgence of his [God’s] glory, the very imprint of his being, and who sustains all things by his mighty word” (Heb. 1:3) 

Third is the gift of myrrh. Ancients used myrrh to prepare the dead for burial. Recall that myrrh was used at the tomb of Jesus (Mk. 16:1; Lk. 24:1; Jn. 19:39) in accordance with Jesus’ instruction (Jn. 12:3-7). Christians interpret the gift of myrrh as standing for the humanity of Jesus. Speaking of Jesus' humanity, Paul writes: “Who, though he was in the form of God… emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:6-8) 

Lastly, over 15 centuries ago, St. Peter Chrysologus spoke of the feast of Epiphany in these terms: "Today the Magi gaze in deep wonder at what they see: heaven on earth, earth in heaven, man in God, God in man. One whom the whole universe can't contain is now enclosed in a tiny body. As they look, they believe and do not question, as their symbolic gifts bear witness: incense for God, gold for a king, and myrrh for one who is to die." Happy Epiphany!