A Short Christmas Quiz:

Q1: How old was Jesus when He was visited by the wise men?

Q2: What was the purpose of their visit? Q3: What were the names of these wise men?

Q4: What gifts did they give Him? Q5: Why did they give Him these particular gifts?

Read: Matthew 2:1-2, 11

(1) Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem 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. … (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.

Answers:

A1: Jesus was perhaps two or close to two years old (See Matthew 2:16). A2: To worship Jesus (See Matthew 2:2).

A3: The Bible gives no record of their names. We have given them names, a tradition of men, but not biblical.

A4: Gold, frankincense, and myrrh (See Matthew 2:11). A5: Read on to find out the significance of these three gifts.

INTRO

God brought WISE MEN to worship His now infant Son. Before the wise men, He brought Shepherds at His birth (Luke 2:2-20). We can learn from this

example that: simple and wise, lowly and great, poor and rich . . . all shall glorify the Lord (See Philippians 2:8-11). These men were truly wise, for they came to

WORSHIP the Lord. That is true wisdom (Compare with Proverbs 9:10). These men brought gifts: Gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

But, what were these gifts?

What did they mean? How did they relate to Jesus Christ?

What do they mean for us today?

Christmas always has us looking for that “perfect gift” for someone special.

But, what gift do you give the Son of God? How are these “perfect” gifts for the Son of God? We shall see . . .

GOLD

Gold signifies DEITY. In ancient times in Arab countries it was given,

customarily, when meeting with royalty (kings were often believed to be a form of deity – Pharaohs of Egypt, Babylonian Kings, etc). However, take note, the

kings of the earth DIE:

Isaiah 6:1 “In the year that king Uzziah died”

Exodus 2:23 “And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died.” 2Samuel 10:1 “And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of

Ammon died.”

1Kings 22:37 “So the king died.” 2Kings 13:24 “So Hazael king of Syria died.”

Isaiah 14:28 “In the year that king Ahaz died.”

The gift of GOLD only truly fits Jesus Christ, not mere men. Jesus Christ,

eternal God, came down to earth, lived as a man, died (put to death), and rose again. We cannot do that. Kings pass away, people pass away, WE pass away,

but GOD endures forever. Jesus Christ is GOD. The Bible is clear on this point:

John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ... (14) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.”

John 10:30 “I and my Father are one.”

Philippians 2:6 “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (7) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a

servant, and was made in the likeness of men.”

This gift of gold was an acknowledgment of His Deity. Though commonly presented to royalty, this gift can ONLY have been rightfully given to ONE person

– Jesus Christ.

So, as we see in Revelation 5:12 heaven sings:

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing”

FRANKINCENSE

Frankincense signifies PURITY. This was a production of Arabia. It was a

white resin or gum obtained from a tree. It was highly fragrant when burned, and

was, therefore, used in worship, where it was burned as a pleasant offering to

God (See Exodus 30:8; Leviticus 16:12).

This gift of frankincense was an acknowledgment of the Lord’s righteousness, spotlessness, perfection, sinlessness, and worthiness:

1John 2:1 “Jesus Christ the RIGHTEOUS ...”

1Peter 1:19 “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without BLEMISH and without SPOT ...”

1Peter 3:18 “JUST

Revelation 4:11 “Thou art WORTHY, O Lord ...”

It is clear from Scripture that only Jesus Christ, GOD in the flesh can be

these things because:

We are born sinners (Psalms 51:5; Romans 5:8, 10, 12) None of us are righteous (Romans 3:10)

All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)

Even our hearts are wicked (Jeremiah 17:9)

Our righteousnesses are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6)

None of us could possibly please God! Only ONE person could do that:

Matthew 3:17 “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Although frankincense was often given in meetings with dignitaries, only Jesus

Christ is truly worthy of such a gift.

Who can say he is without sin? Only Christ is . . .

MYRRH

Myrrh signifies DEATH. This was also a production of Arabia, and was also obtained from a tree. It is greatly BITTER. It was used chiefly in embalming the

dead (Compare with John 19:39).

Christ was born to die on the cross; NOT for HIS sins, but for sinners. This

gift honored His great sacrifice. Isaiah says He was born to be a Lamb to the

slaughter (Isaiah 53:7). He was made a curse (Galatians 3:13). He was made sin

(2Corinthians 5:21) for us.

He did what we could NOT do for ourselves; He and He alone. “Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace goodwill toward men,” Jesus Christ was

born.

CONCLUSION

Thus we have, GOLD, FRANKINCENSE, and MYRRH: DEITY, PURITY, and DEATH (SACRIFICE). These gifts truly honored and worshipped the Lord.

This Christmas, let us too remember, honor, and worship the Lord in our

hearts. This is what God seeks. He doesn’t look on the outside, but the inner man. We may not materially have gold, frankincense, or myrrh to offer the Lord,

but we can offer them spiritually:

GOLD . . . Acknowledging and glorifying the Lord as GOD in the FLESH

FRANKINCENSE . . . Acknowledging and glorifying the Lord as the PERFECT,

PURE, SPOTLESS LAMB of GOD

MYRRH . . . Acknowledging and glorifying the Lord for giving His life for the sins of many – the PERFECT SACRIFICE

Thus we have the Gospel in these gifts: God (GOLD) came to man; lived a

sinless life (FRANKINCENSE); and gave Himself to die on the cross for our sins (MYRRH), and rose again (GOLD) for our justification.

Let us truly remember and teach our children the “REASON for this Season”

is to remember, honor, glorify, and worship Jesus Christ. And the BEAUTY of

this season is JESUS CHRIST.

It makes me so sad when Santa Claus is allowed to diminish and distract from Jesus Christ, on HIS celebrated day of birth! The one time of the year when

Jesus Christ can be openly proclaimed and celebrated in today’s increasingly hostile world – and it is spent on Santa Claus, even by Christians. How very sad.

What a sad testimony to the world. And what a Laodicean condition we are in when we take opportunities to share the Lord yet spend them on Santa Claus.

These men were called wise. What were their behaviors? They sought,

worshipped, and gave gifts to the Lord. Wise men still seek, worship, and give gifts to Jesus Christ. Bring your gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Him today

without delay for He alone is WORTHY. Look to Jesus Christ today for NEW LIFE if you haven’t already. He ALONE is ABLE.