The Lodestar

The Wise Men were sure they would find the newborn King of the Jews if they followed the star they had spotted in the sky over their countries, so they carried gifts chosen with deep insight.

Through the centuries, interpreters have attached symbolic meanings to the three gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh, though they were common commodities in the ancient world.

Gold is a precious metal that represents royalty and wealth. It symbolises that Jesus is the king of the Jews and the king of kings. Jesus never had any gold in his possession. He declared his net worth as having “nowhere to lay his head” (Matt 8:20). Though in his incarnation, he forfeited all his wealth to identify with the homeless and the hungry, he owned everything visible and invisible: “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him” (Col 1:16). Magi’s present was not going to make him wealthier than he was but was a recognition that all the gold in the world belongs to him.

The second present, frankincense, is a fragrant resin used to make incense for worship and prayer. The Levitical priests used it abundantly in Temple worship. By presenting it, the Wisemen recognised that Jesus is the Son of God and the high priest who intercedes for us. He is the “great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God” (Heb 4:14).

His priestly ministry differs from that of the Levitical priests; there are no sacrifices to offer, since his self-sacrifice on the cross has made them unnecessary. But he continues the ministry of intercession in heaven for us on earth. This assurance is the reason for our confidence. He beckons us to “draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Heb 10:22).

The third, myrrh, is a bitter resin used to make perfume and medicine. It also has the property of preserving dead bodies. It is a prophetic reminder that Jesus is the suffering servant and the sacrificial lamb who died for our sins. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, two rich disciples of Jesus, gave him a royal burial by treating his body with a lavish amount of myrrh and aloes (John 19:39).

The men who followed the star from the East to the infant Jesus had prophetic insight into his ministry here on earth and his ongoing ministry in the heavenly places. Christmas reminds us that the Godchild came to save us, continues to reign over us, and mercifully stands with us when we go astray.

The best present we can give ourselves is acknowledging the Godchild as saviour, Lord, and intercessor.

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