The Holy Fragrance of Christmas

Born in a lowly manger, a brilliant star heralded the announcement that the King of Kings, the Promised Messiah had come!   Wise Men followed that star, and brought their gifts to worship Him.  Their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh are here for us today as symbols, gifts that are developed in our life, to place before the King, as our holy (fragrant) offering.

 

Gold – Represents the divine nature.  As gold is the highest, most precious metal, so the divine nature is the highest nature, the only nature having immortality.

It also represents our faith; being more precious than gold.  According to the Scriptures, 1Peter 1:6-7  “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ”.

 

What makes your faith more precious than gold?  Does it come in its purest form at the onset of salvation? Or is it tried and formed and developed over the years, by various trials and tribulations? 

 

In my book, “The Waiting Room” I share the extraordinary events of our family’s journey,.  It is due to the synergy of prayer mixed with the power of God’s love through our trials, that our faith has grown and developed as pure gold. 

 

 “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing..”  James 1:3-4

 

If I were to present my gift of gold before my King this Christmas, what would I be offering? 

 

I started my journey of following the Bright Morning Star, Jesus, over thirty years ago, and through the years the hills and valleys have taught me well.  My faith has been tested, has been tried, and has kept me solid on the Rock of Jesus Christ.  Not because of anything I did, but because of Who Jesus is.  My faith is not my own, it’s His gift to me.  All I’ve done is nurture and develop my faith; by using every gift He’s given me.  The Holy Gifts such as: encouragement, prayer, love, friendship, reconciliation, and more.  And so this Christmas, I bring before my King, the precious gift of gold like faith…my fragrant offering. 

 

Frankincense – An emblem of prayer, a fragrant aroma to God.  A website reference for study: The Revelation of Jesus Christ states: “Prayer is the closest we can come to the presence of God, and it can be reached only through Jesus.   As the sweet incense [Jesus’ obedience] ascends into the Most Holy, the presence of God, so through Jesus, the devotional life of the church, their praises and prayers, ascend as sweet fragrance to God.”

 

Are you using the gift of frankincense and permeating the atmosphere of your heart through prayer?

  The heart is God’s dwelling place, have I prepared mine to be a fragrant aroma to Him?  My heart yearns to present this gift before my Heavenly Father as a gift of thanks and worship, for all He has done and given to me.

 

Myrrh –  Used for the anointing ointment for the dead, it has come to be known as a symbol of suffering  and sorrow.

  It is a gum which oozes from the branch, extracted from a tree.  It is bitter in flavor, but has medicinal uses and is also fragrant when combined with other spices.  Added to frankincense, (prayer symbol) it is a beautiful fragrance, used for anointing.

Prayer turns all bitter things sweet. 

 

See, the bitterness of the myrrh (sorrows of life) can be difficult to swallow; this is why we need Jesus, (the Tree) to turn the bitter waters sweet.  (Story of Marah* see below)

When I add Jesus to the bitter drink of my cup, I am able to drink freely, with peace and I feel His love.  I am free to respond to life with the sweet gifts of the Spirit, a choice I’ve repeatedly made.  “For where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”  Corinthians 3:17. 

Let the oil extracted from the tree,  become the myrrh of sweet anointing: your gift of liberty!

 

How?  When you think about a holy gift to present to the King of Kings, consider your gifts:  Your faith (Gold), your prayers (Frankincense) and  your sufferings (Myrrh) your fragrant offering!

 

Shalom, and Holy Christmas!

Carrie George

An Ordinary Woman who serves an Extraordinary God!

 

 (thank you Carrie for being a guest writer, and for introducing us to your book, I am excited to read it as there are many times in this life when we need the reminder of our Comforter as well as recieving comfort..thank you!) 

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