The Magi and Their Gifts

Matt 2:
2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.
5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:
6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah;
For out of you shall come forth a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”
7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.”
9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

The Wise Men worshipped Christ and offered him significant gifts.

Myrrh is a gum resin from certain trees, which can be found in Africa and Arabia. During Biblical times, myrrh was used in making perfume and incense. The tree called Commiphora or DinDin produces the sap when the bark is cut. When the myrrh hardens it is usually made into powder, which was used in perfumes and as incense. During the time Jesus was born, myrrh was very valuable. In addition to being used in perfumes and incense, myrrh was also used in ointment in embalming by the Egyptians and as a medicine for sores and wounds.

Frankincense is also a gum resin similar to myrrh from the tree Boswellia Thurifera found in the Middle East and Somalia. The younger the tree the more valuable and the better the sap. When the bark is cut, the sap is left to harden on the tree for about 3 months. When it is ready, it is scraped off into containers. Frankincense was used in incense for religious and government ceremonies. Although its use as incense was more popular, frankincense was also used in perfume. And the charred frankincense is still used today in kohl, a black eyeliner Middle Easterners wear under their eyes. Churches all over Europe still use incense during certain ceremonies.

Ancient Persians exported the gold to kings and emperors in Asia and the Middle East. Gold has always been a valuable metal and during that time Gold Coins were very much prevalent.

All the three gifts were chosen on their individual attributes and also based on their popularity.