OUR LORD RECEIVED THREE GIFTS

Jesus was born in Bethlehem as the scriptures foretold. In the subterfuge of intrigue, Jesus was born exactly where the prophets foretold He would be born, but the time in which He was to arrive was hidden from the powers of darkness for they planned to stop the arrival of the Messiah who was the hope of Israel.

The God of Israel undertook a  massive orchestration of Roman governance over the land of Israel in order to provide the cover under which Mary and Joseph could travel from Nazareth to  Bethlehem and have Jesus born where prophecy plainly  indicated he would be born while precluding any human or spiritual interference with the receiving of Jesus to the earth.

This logistical feat permitted the Messiah to arrive into history as scheduled  and also allowed for a visitation of men from the east who had been waiting for Him from a distance and had seen His star in the heavens.

These men, likely scholars of the work of the ancient prophet Daniel, travelled from afar following the star that heralded His appearing and they finally arrived in Bethlehem to find the young child whom had been foretold in the writings they studied.

Upon encountering Him, they bowed down and worshipped Him and presented Him with three gifts.

As a symbol of His Kingship, they gave Him Gold. To represent His Priesthood, they gave Him Frankinscence.   To represent the sacrifice of His life unto death for us all, they gave Him Myrrh.

This is summarized in Mathew 2 verse 10 - 11:

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him.

 Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts,  gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Thus the Lord Jesus was honoured  by people from distant lands who had waited for Him and sought Him.  They may not have known but this child they were blessing was not only the hope of Israel but also the hope of the whole world.

Amen.