The Gifts From the Three

About the gifts from the three wise men. #Nativity Question፦ Greetings beloved of the Lord, as we are in the season of the birth of Our Lord; I wanted know more about the gifts given to Our Lord from the wise men. The gold, incense, and myrrh. I know about what it symbolizes. Gold because He is King. Incense because He is God, and Myrrh for His Death. But what happen to these gifts after they were given to Our Lord and the history of where the gifts originated. I heard oral tradition that these gifts originally came from Adam? Please, if you can, share more details about this. Answer፦ Greetings to you, also beloved of the Lord, and may the blessings of this holy season fill your heart with light! Your question shines with a desire to delve deeper into the sacred mysteries surrounding the Nativity, and I am blessed to accompany you on this journey of discovery. You are right to recall the symbolic richness of the gifts offered by the Magi: gold for Christ's Kingship, incense for His Divinity, and myrrh for His eventual sacrifice. These precious materials were not mere earthly treasures, but prophetic pronouncements of Our Lord's divine mission. The origins of these gifts, as passed down through generations by the holy fathers, are indeed fascinating. Some believe, as you mentioned, that these gifts were first given by God to Adam in Paradise! This tradition suggests that Adam, upon his expulsion from Eden, received these gifts as a promise of salvation to come. They were treasured by his descendants, passed down through generations of patriarchs, eventually reaching the Magi, who, guided by the star, offered them to the newborn King. While the exact historical path of these gifts remains shrouded in the mists of time, the Scriptures offer glimpses into their origins. The Book of Genesis (12:10) mentions merchants trading in spices, balm, and myrrh, indicating the ancient and valuable nature of these gifts. The Gospel of Matthew (2:11) states that the Magi presented these gifts "when they were come into the house." This suggests that the gifts remained with the Holy Family for a time. Some traditions suggest that St. Mary Magdalene later used the myrrh, part of which the Magi had given to Jesus, to anoint Christ's body after His crucifixion (John 19:39). While historical details may remain elusive, the true significance of these gifts lies in their profound spiritual symbolism. They serve as a testament to Christ's threefold nature – King, God, and Sacrifice – and remind us of the glorious mystery of the Incarnation. May this reflection deepen your understanding and appreciation of the Nativity. If you have more questions, do not hesitate to ask. Let us continue to delve into the boundless wisdom and beauty of our Orthodox faith. May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever in every tongue that He has created, today and always. May the blessings of God's mother, the virgin, and the cross be upon us. Amen. © John's Repentance Reach out to us on our social media platforms and share it with your friends: https://linktr.ee/johnsrepentance