The Gifts

After their audience with the king, the Magi went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great delight. On entering the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Gold, frankincense, and myrrh were offerings given to a king. Gold was a symbol of royalty. Frankincense, which is incense, was a symbol of divinity. And myrrh, an embalming oil, was a symbol of humanity and mortality.

Now, the Magi were warned in a dream not to return to Herod. And so, they went back to their own country by another route.

(See Matthew 2:9-12)

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