The Gift of the Wise Men Their actual status is unclear. Some call them Kings. Others name them as astrologers. Other use the Greek term, Magi, which can mean anything from a priestly caste in Persia or a sorcerer. Most of us know them as the Three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. To the humble young mother and her husband sheltered in a grotto with oxen and donkeys, they may have seemed like exotic visitors from another world. These visitors from afar knelt before a manager and gave the swaddled child gifts of frankincense, myrrh, and gold. Theologians and philosophers have debated the symbolism of these kingly gifts. The mother and father had no doubt of their true meaning. Each gift had a deeply practical purpose. Frankincense is the dried sap of the Boswellia tree found in parts of southern Arabia. The tree is hardy and is often found growing where little else grows. Collecting the sap was (and still is) a risky pursuit. Vipers are often found in the nooks and crannies of the tree trunk. It was and is used for incense and perfume. But in the time of the baby Jesus, healers and mothers knew it was important as a fumigate against insects, mosquitoes, sand fleas, wheat moths, and a treatment for arthritis, laryngitis, and bronchitis. Pure frankincense is clear and may have no color, or at most, a slight yellow tinge. This is considered the best and safest variety for internal use. Other varieties can vary from yellow to dark brown. Past studies at Johns Hopkins University and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, have shown that burning frankincense resin helps to alleviate anxiety and depression. This may explain its heavy use in temples throughout the eastern world. The scent is almost hypnotic. The University of Munich also found the anti-inflammatory properties of frankincense very effective as a treatment for joint pain and arthritis. The famous eleventh-century Arabian physician, Avicenna, recommended its cooling effects as a remedy for infections and illnesses that increase the bodys temperature. We know this today as a fever. He also recommended it for tumors, ulcers, vomiting and dysentery. Greek and Roman physicians used Frankincense in the treatment of a great variety of diseases. Frankincense appears in the Syriac Book of Medicine, ancient Muslim texts, and in Ayurvedic and Chinese medical writings which specifically suggested its use in cases of leprosy. Myrrh, another resin, was also laid at the foot of the manager. At the time of Jesus birth, it was literally worth its weight in gold. Unlike frankincense, which comes from several species of the same tree, myrrh refers to the resinous dried sap from a number of trees and bushes of the Commiphora and Balsamodendron species. The Commiphora myrrha, the most common source of myrrh, grows natively in Somalia, Yemen and eastern Ethiopia. The word myrrh comes from the Hebrew murr or maror, which means bitter. Today myrrh is a common ingredient in toothpastes. In the time of the Christ it was often mixed with wine and used as a mouthwash for infected gums. It is a powerful astringent and can heal wounds with its antiseptic qualities and the shrinking of damaged tissue. Possibly more important to the mother Mary, powdered myrrh could be used for severe diaper on the holy infants bottom. It could also be used on injuries, which as every carpenter knows, will occur when you least expect it. Myrrh has also been recommended to help toothache pain, and can be used in liniment for bruises, aches and sprains. In Chinese medicine myrrh is most commonly used for rheumatic, arthritic, and circulatory problems. In the traditional medicine of India, it is consider a stimulant and blood tonic. It helps stagnant blood areas to begin flowing again. Older folks believed it to be a rejuvenate remedy. Who knows, it might have worked. Truly, these two symbolic and practical gifts were fit for a king. Lastly, gold was given. While gold has been used medicinally, this was not used by the holy family for arthritic fingers or joints. When the mad King Herod sent out his henchmen to kill all male children of a certain age, the good carpenter Joseph, heeded the words of an angel sent in a dream, and made a run for the border of Egypt. Dont tell me he didnt bribe the local federales or custom inspectors to let them in. Yes…the holy family were illegals. In Egypt they found sanctuary, and the gifts of the Magi were put to good use. So the next time you hear a discussion of the symbolic meaning of each gift, stop and think. Are your Christmas gifts as practical as the Magis?
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 02:49:21 +0000
Trending Topics
© 2015