1. 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 . . .

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.