What are you giving...?

On Epiphany Sunday 2015, I think about the story of the three Magi traveling across the ancient
world.  This is a recurring topic for me as you may remember I wrote on this nearly the same time last year.

How difficult must it have been to travel so far to follow a star.  These things we take for granted like jumping in a car for a quick trip to a city three or four or eight hours away or the ability to cut that time down to one hour via plane just didn't exist then.  Similarly, these three, were probably not Gold members of Hilton Honors so they didn't have easy access to freshly cleaned linens and a complimentary breakfast with their HBO and other cable channels at night.

It makes the story all the more remarkable when you consider what they had to go through not to just go looking for the King of Kings, but to find him.  And where was he?  Not in majestic surroundings, but likely still in a barn manger.

As a side note, I realize most people are offended by the innkeeper who had no room and forced this couple into a barn, but he gave them everything he had.  How many of us do this for strangers?  So before you ask why didn't he give up his quarters for this young couple about to deliver the firstborn of mankind, ask yourself when was the last time you offered a little help or guidance to a local teen mother?

Returning to the story of the Magi though, they sought out Jesus and upon finding him, did not find him in majestic circumstances, but entirely different, yet the Gospels tell us they prostrated themselves, bowing before an infant king.  Additionally, giving us the symbols that allow Walmart, Toys R Us, and the rest of consumer America to flourish, they brought gifts.  [I keep forgetting the net effect on GDP in their countryside, though I am constantly reminded by the media that I need to do my part during the holidays to help America's GDP - by buying cheap foreign built products that are over-priced by the previously mentioned retailers.]

What is it they brought?  Well, according to tradition, they brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  These three items may not seem important to the story, but they are and the symbolism is important for me.

Since the early church, perhaps properly noted to Church Father Origen, gold represents the kingship of an Earthly crown, but frankincense is an incense, which clearly represents divinity.  These first two items, gold and incense tell us that Jesus was not a king for Earth alone, but for heaven.  Finally, myrrh.  Myrrh is an ointment used when people died which for us indicates the Magi's understanding that Jesus was not only divine, but also human.  Myrrh is a clear indication of this humanity and that Jesus will die, like all terrestrial beings.

The final note I have on the bearing of gifts by the Magi is not so much what they brought, but that they brought their best.  Whether I am talking about baseball or coaching an employee or just speaking to another person, I always ask what are you bringing to the table?  The Magi were very clearly bringing their best.  God was not getting the left overs from their lives.  That being the case, what do you bring...do you bring the best or do you leave the leftovers?