by Frank Luke
Working with our Christmas Carol Concert, today’s communion reading is from Matthew 2, and working from my favorite Christmas carol—We Three Kings.
Matthew 2:9-11 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 found the Holy Family in Bethlehem and presented them with fitting gifts. For this morning, let’s imagine that the song presents the presentation of gifts exactly as it happened. First comes the gift of gold. A fitting gift for a king!
Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain,
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King for ever,
Ceasing never
Over us all to reign.
King forever, ceasing never. A marvelous description of the Son of David, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The incomparable king!
Next comes the gift of frankincense. Again, a fitting gift for one who is a priest forever after the order of Melkizedek.
Frankincense to offer have I,
Incense owns a Deity nigh:
Prayer and praising
All men raising,
Worship Him God on High.
This child, sitting in his mother’s lap, will represent all men before the Lord and make a way for us to come to Heaven’s throne.
Then comes myrrh. I’m sure any relatives in the house were surprised. Myrrh? That’s for perfume and burial. It’s expensive and rare. It’s costly to harvest and takes time to harden.
Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Suff’ring, sighing,
Bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
Myrrh for a child. About two years old, by the clues Matthew gives us. His mother would have been 13 when married, making her about 16 right now. If the traditions of when Jewish men wed are correct, Joseph would have been knocking on 20. You don’t give burial spices to a baby!
But you do for this baby. The gifts could not have been more appropriate. King, and priest, and sacrifice. Born to die. Born to make the way for us. The Lamb of God, slain from before the foundation of the world.
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