We give each other gifts to celebrate Christmas. Following the example of the three wise men, consider three gifts that you should give to Jesus Christ.

Matthew 2:9–11 

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

In these verses, three wise men came from the East seeking Jesus. What a powerful illustration! Wise men still seek Jesus! They came from Babylon following a star and the Spirit.

We don’t know the exact timing of this event. Some Protestant Churches celebrate the wise men’s arrival 12 days after Christmas calling it Epiphany or Three Kings Day. We know that Christ was no longer a newborn (He is called a young child in verse eleven) but younger than two years of age (verse 16). They traveled hundreds of miles seeking the Child.

The Wise Men brought three gifts to Jesus. Each gift describes an element of Who Christ is and reveals what gifts we should offer Him today. Share on X

Although not inspired or infallible like the Bible, tradition offers the possible names and regions of these wise men.  Melchior hailed from Persia, Gaspar (also called “Caspar” or “Jaspar”) from India, and Balthazar from Arabia.

The word “wise men” is the Greek word μάγος (magŏs, mag´-os). The singular word is magi. It was used for oriental scientists or sorcerers. Historians postulate that these men were Zoroastrian priests. Many courts in eastern cultures of the time, had astrologers and magicians who served as priestly advisors. Some stories and songs call the magis “kings,” but that is not revealed in Scripture.

Regardless of who they were and where they came from, these men were drawn to worship the newborn Christ.  

God is still drawing people!

John 6:44 

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

As we lift up Christ, He will draw all men.

John 12:32

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

Wise men still seek Jesus!

The visit of the wise men was prophesied in The Book of Isaiah.

Isaiah 60:6 

The multitude of camels shall cover thee,

The dromedaries of Midian and Ephah;

All they from Sheba shall come:

They shall bring gold and incense;

And they shall shew forth the praises of the Lord.

The Wise Men brought three gifts to Jesus. These gifts were more than simple trinkets. They were symbolic treasures! Each gift describes an element of Who Christ is and reveals what gifts we should offer Him today.

 1. Gold Symbolizes Christ’s Sovereign Dominion.

Gold is a gift fit for a king. The wise men offered gold to Christ as an homage to His sovereignty.

They came to Judea seeking a King.

Matthew 2:1–2

1 Now when Jesus was born in Beth-lehem 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.

The wise men acknowledged Jesus as a king and gave Him gold.

Gold was given as a gift to kings often.

Psalm 72:15 

And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba:

Prayer also shall be made for him continually;

And daily shall he be praised.

Today, we know that Jesus Christ is the KING of Kings and LORD of Lords.

Revelation 17:14 

These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Revelation 19:16

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

What should we give to Jesus as our King? WEALTH! Jesus has control over everything that we have and are as our Sovereign king.  

One man said, “God’s Throne is not a duplex. He will not share His Throne with anyone.”

2. Frankincense Speaks Of Christ’s Sinless Deity.

What is Frankincense?

According to the Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible, Frankincense is a fragrant gum resin that can be ground into a powder and burned to produce a balsam-like odor. 

It was used in incense for worship.

Exodus 30:34–37 

34 And the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: 35 And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy: 36 And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy. 37 And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the Lord.

Exodus 30:34 

And the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight:

Frankincense was used in the most sacred elements of worship to God Almighty.

As our God, we must give Jesus our WORSHIP.

Anything that you love, fear, or serve more than Jesus Christ is an idol.

We worship Christ with our allegiance and loyalty. We worship Him by yielding our heart, soul, and possessions. We worship Him through absolute surrender.

God’s Throne is not a duplex. He will not share His Throne with anyone. Share on X

3. Myrrh Signifies Christ’s Sacrificial Death.

Myrhh is another aromatic resin that is usually taken from the bark of trees and shrubs.

It was considered a luxury item when used as a valuable perfume.

Song of Solomon 1:13 

A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me;

He shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.

Myrrh was used in the sacred anointing oil.

Exodus 30:23 

Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,

Myrrh was used for embalming.

John 19:39

And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.

The wise men gave myrrh to Christ, representing His death.  

Jesus Christ was born to die.

“Born To Die” song by Ron Hamilton

On the night Christ was born, Just before break of morn,

 As the stars in the sky were fading,

 O’er the place where He lay, Fell a shadow cold and gray

 Of a cross that would humble a King.

(Chorus)

 Born to die upon Calv’ry,

 Jesus suffered my sin to forgive;

 Born to die upon Calv’ry,

 He was wounded that I might live.

(Verse 2)

Jesus knew when He came He would suffer in shame;

 He could feel ev’ry pain and sorrow.

 But He left Paradise, With His blood He paid the price –

 My redemption to Jesus I owe.

(Verse 3)

From His throne Jesus came, Laid aside Heaven’s fame

 In exchange for the cross of Calv’ry;

 For my gain suffered loss, For my sin He bore the cross –

 He was wounded and I was set free.

(Verse 4)

Dearest Lord, evermore May Thy cross I adore

 As I follow the path to Calv’ry;

 Of Thy death I partake, My ambition I forsake –

 All my will I surrender to Thee.

“Born To Die” Gospel Song by Ron Hamilton

 Jesus died on the Cross to pay for our sins. He was buried. Three days later, He arose from the dead. If you put your faith in the finished work of Christ, God will forgive your sin and take you to Heaven when you die.

1 Corinthians 15:1–4 

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour?

John 1:12–13 

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Trust Christ today. Confess your sin and call upon Jesus in faith right now.

Romans 10:9–13 

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

If you are saved, God has called you to tell others of the Gospel.

As our Saviour, we must give Jesus our WITNESS.

CONCLUSION

The Wise Men brought three gifts to Jesus that describe an element of Who Christ is and reveal what gifts we should offer Him today.

The wise men brought Him gold. As our King, we must give Jesus our WEALTH.

The magi gave Christ frankincense. As our God, we must give Christ our WORSHIP.

The wise men offered Jesus myrrh to honor His death. As our Saviour, we must give Him Jesus our WITNESS.