I wrote about the Nativity
yesterday with a short paragraph about the wise men. I noted that the
scriptures do not tell us how many wise men came to see the newborn King.
People through the ages assumed that there were three wise men because they
brought three gifts – gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They are assumed to be
rich because of their expensive gifts.
There is no information about how
many wise men, who they were, or what country they came from. The assumption is
that the wise men rode on camels from their homes in the “east,” but this
information is not given in the scriptures. I assume that they rode something –
camels, donkeys, elephants, or whatever – because they were carrying heavy
gifts, plus all their camping gear.
I understand that the wise men were
watching for a new star in the heavens and then left their home country to look
for the newborn King. The testimony of St. Matthew shares the following:
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem
of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the
east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King
of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him
(Matthew 2:1-2).
According to the scriptures, the
shepherds found the newborn King soon after his birth. However, the wise men
came some time later. Jesus was circumcised when eight days old (Luke 2:21). He
was presented in the temple after Mary’s days of purification (Luke 2:22).
Elder James E. Talmage says that the days of purification for post-birth
mothers is 40 days (Jesus the Christ, Chapter
8). At any rate the Holy Family is living in a house, and the Baby is now
described as a “young child” (Matthew 2:11) when the wise men arrive.
I always assumed that the gifts of
the magi were simply gifts. However, Christopher Kirkland https://ldsmag.com/temple-implications-in-the-wise-mens-gifts/
believes that the gifts might have had more meaning and be connected with the
temple.
Gold
is
for Kings, and in ancient Israel often connotes the heavenly presence…. Ancient
Israel used gold extensively in the Temple decor, connoting the heavenly realms
and the presence of a king…. [He also suggests that the gold might not have
been gold coins but items made from gold.]
Frankincense was a rare
spice used in the Temple (Leviticus 2:1, 4, and 24:7 are some examples)…. It
was burnt with almost every sacrifice offered in Jerusalem’s temple. Mixed with
salt, the smoke became white, and was seen as prayers ascending up to heaven….
It was impossible to perform temple ordinances as proscribed in the Law of
Moses without Frankincense.
Myrrh is a natural
preservative…. Myrrh was also mixed with olive oil and other spices to be used
for anointings in the Temple. It was kept in a flask in the Holy of Holies. The
formula for this “holy anointing oil” is found in Exodus 30:23-25….
When we normally consider the wise men’s
gifts, we usually tend to focus on the fact that they were rare and costly, and
the lesson we derive from it is that we too should offer our best to Christ.
While that is true, we shouldn’t forget that the gifts were also incredibly specific in their nature and
use. Aside from their exchange value, the gifts would have been of very little
practical use, especially for a young child. Unless….
… they were more than just gifts.
Perhaps the wise men did more than just bring the young toddler gold to make
His house more heavenly and sacred, frankincense for making offerings and
consecrating sacrifices, and myrrh for anointing kings and priests. Perhaps
they actually put these items to use in
his behalf.
Kirkland ties all his ideas about
the gifts together with the LDS temple ceremonies, but I would like my readers
to consider his idea of the wise men using their gifts to anoint and consecrate
the newborn King. Is this the reason why the wise men were alerted to watch for
the star? Were they Jewish priests living far from Bethlehem?
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