In the weeks leading up to Christmas, the question pops up all over the place, “What is the meaning of Christmas?” The answer quickly follows, “Christmas is about giving!” This is an
excellent answer if you own a department store. However, when we reflect on the deeper meaning of Christmas, we realize that Christmas is much more about receiving. The Feast of the Epiphany emphasizes this truth. The wise men came bearing their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Gold, representing the wealth and worldly comforts this world has to offer.
Frankincense, representing the praise and adulation we offer each other. Myrrh, representing the irresistible power of death, from which no one escapes. The wise men had to lay these gifts down in order to receive the Christ child, who is the true gift given to us at Christmas time. The king who carried the weight of the gold, laid it down to receive the greatest gift who alone can satisfy us fully, Jesus Christ the true King! The king who held the incense, laid it down to receive the only one worthy of praise, Jesus Christ the Lord! The king who bore the myrrh, laid it down to receive that living love that is even more powerful than death, Jesus Christ our Redeemer and Savior! May we lay down the burdens of our worldly desires so that we may receive the greatest gift, the name above every other name, Jesus Christ!