The wise men came bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh when they came to see Jesus for the first time. Why were these gifts of significance? Gifts were typically given to kings when people came to see them; therefore, gold and expensive oils would have been of significance especially when given to a baby boy in a cave. A baby boy not known as a king; rather, a baby boy born from a virgin?

Oils were part of everyday culture in Biblical times, as well as before Jesus came to earth. Oils were used for medicinal purposes, for anointing, for preparing the dead bodies for burial, and for cleansing uses. We were in Israel last November and one of the ladies gave me some frankincense oil to put on my wrists. This was my first time experiencing frankincense oil and the fact that I was in Israel and close to Christmas made it quite memorable.

Upon my arrival back to the states, I began reading through the Bible. While reading through the Old Testament this year,  I read about anointing oils for the priests, oils used to clean bodies, and oils given as gifts. Myrrh was in fact used along with cinnamon, calamus, and cassia for the priest’s holy anointing oil. I was surprised at how oils, even if just olive oil by itself, was an important part of the culture.

Back to the wise men now! This story has had a different impact on me this year because I’ve recently started using essential oils and now have both frankincense and myrrh. I started with essential oils to clean around my house. I was excited at their cleaning properties and, I have to admit, it made me feel I was going back to a simpler time. Then, as I was reading more and more of the Bible through different lenses since my Israel trip, I kept coming across the importance of oils and how some of my experiences were relating back to Biblical times.

So cool to see all the different ways oils were used back in the day: both practical and extravagantly! The wise men not only gave Jesus gifts meant for kings, they also gave Mary and Joseph very practical gifts for medicinal and cleansing purposes. The gifts given to Jesus were one in the same. The wise men not only gave these costly gifts, they gave of themselves as they traveled a long distance.

Take a moment to think what gift you have that is both practical and extravagant?

Are you thinking?

It’s simply you. That’s all He wants. You are extravagant because God made you and you are practical because He can use you in this world to touch others when they feel they are unworthy of God’s love. Every day we live we will give a different gift to Jesus: our time, our talents, our wise choices, our pride, our love of self. Each day is a different journey. The wise men started out on a long journey giving of themselves and ended by bowing down to a king offering treasures.

Are you bowing down to your king and offering your treasures today? Or, are you holding back?

© 2015 Susan M. Sims