The Wise Men
The relation of wisdom and joy can be seen in the recounting of the visit of the wise men. They had traveled a long way, and in faith, following a star and likely knowledgeable of Daniel’s prophecies. The Magi, as they are also known, would have had access to writings of Daniel, who, while in captivity in Babylon had been made head of all the Magi of the Babylonian Court. they came prepared to honor the coming King with gifts, recorded as including gold,frankincense, and myrrh. The Bible holds clues to the symbolism of these gifts, as well as their practical use. What joy they must have felt when, at long last, they had their meeting with the fulfillment of their desire, and could present their gifts and worship.
One source says:
* That they are all ordinary gifts for a king – myrrh being commonly used as an anointing oil, frankincense as a perfume, and gold as a valuable.
* That they are prophetic – gold as a symbol of kingship on earth, frankincense (an incense) as a symbol of divine authority, and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death. Sometimes this is described more weakly as gold symbolizing virtue, frankincense symbolizing prayer, and myrrh symbolizing suffering.John Chrysostom suggested that the gifts were fit to be given not just to a king but to God, and contrasted them with the Jews’ traditional offerings of sheep and calves, and accordingly Chrysostom asserts that the Magi worshiped Jesus as God
Songs for today include the favorite “We Three Kings”. Readings from Daniels prophecy, Daniel 9:24-27
