This Mysterious Gift of Myrrh

The Citizen, "From the Minister's Study" - Dec.17 2018
    It’s Christmas time again – and those with a Biblical faith background throughout the land will once again be recalling the reason for the season, with the traditional accounts of Mary’s miraculous pregnancy and birth, the visitations of angels, shepherds, and wise men. Carollers will be singing of “Joy to the World”, “Silent Night”, and “We Three Kings”. Children at churches are again acting out the Christmas story, sometimes according to the script, sometimes with unexpected twists – often to the delight of the audience (if occasionally the chagrin of their parents).
    Three small boys were in a Christmas play at school. They represented the three wise men and they were to give their gifts to Baby Jesus. The first boy stepped forward, held out the gift in his hands and said, “Gold.” The second boy stepped forward, held out his gift and exclaimed, “Myrrh.” The third boy stepped forward, held out his gift and stated, “Frank sent this.”
    Well – he almost got it right! (“frankincense”) What actually happened, according to Matthew’s account, is this. “On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matt.2:11 NRSV)
    Two of the three gifts of the Magi make a lot of sense. Gold was valuable; it would help Joseph and Mary survive the upcoming journey as refugees to Egypt once Herod caught wind of the birth of what could potentially be the long-awaited Messiah. Gold is a gift of royal quality, betokening Jesus as our King.
    Frankincense is also a fitting gift referred to often in the Old Testament as a perfuming material added to offerings to created a pleasing aroma. In an associated way, the Bible refers to Jesus as our High Priest. “For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2:17)
    But the third gift of the wise men seems a bit odd to bring to the birth of a baby. One can’t help but wonder, wouldn’t a little knitted outfit with a cap and booties have been more appropriate?! After all, myrrh was a spice used in embalming the dead!
    Not seemingly the “ideal” gift... But then again, that first Christmas happened in less-than-ideal circumstances. Joseph and Mary were far from home, dealing with the upheaval of having to register at Bethlehem in response to an imperial edict designed to make sure citizens complied with their full obligation to render burdensome taxes to their foreign overlords. It couldn’t have come at a worse time, having to make a long journey over rough roads while Mary was nearly full-term in her pregnancy. And the crowded conditions due to many others registering at Bethlehem meant this poor couple had to seek refuge in a stable, a sort of barn, because there was no room in the inn.
    Myrrh acknowledges the less-than-ideal times of sadness, brokenness, and mourning in our lives. Christmas is a difficult time emotionally for some people due to life’s losses. In my own case, this is the first time in 40 years I will be celebrating without my wife, who died this past summer. I guess I really should take down the two long rows of sympathy cards hung along the wall from her funeral, because that’s where we always used to put up our Christmas cards. Our family get-togethers this season just won’t be the same without her.
    Other families experience stress and grief at this season for other reasons. There is the challenge of coming up with finances to cover the cost of gifts. There is the stress of finding suitable dates that don’t conflict in determining the schedule for family functions, work parties, seasonal concerts for school and church, and so on. Plus it may be at times like this that family tensions rise to the surface, perhaps due to marital conflicts or parent-teen differences of opinion.
    “Tis the season to be jolly” – or so we’re told... But that doesn’t sound like OUR family!
    Interesting thing about the production of myrrh: according to the Pictorial Bible Dictionary, myrrh is one of the most valuable of the gum resins; “either naturally or when the stems are injured, the gum oozes from the shrub-like tree.” In other words, the plant ‘bleeds’ (so to speak) to exude its aromatic medicinal sap.
    Significantly, myrrh is mentioned later in the Biblical account of Jesus’ life, in conjunction with His death. At the time of Jesus’ burial, “Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about 75 pounds.” (John 19:39) In the words of the writer of the letter to the Hebrews, this high priest-become-sacrifice is able “to sympathize with our weaknesses”. (4:15) Jesus the innocent was crucified unjustly: He was subjected to the full brunt of life’s unfairness. He understands completely our brokenness and disappointments. Just a week after Jesus’ birth, aged Simeon would say prophetically to His mother Mary: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Luke 2:34f)
    Is this going to be a tough Christmas for you? Do you sometimes feel like a sword has pierced to the core of your being? Jesus is no stranger to the sorrows and griefs of our human condition. “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.” (Isaiah 53:3) The Author of your salvation was made perfect through suffering. We’re told Jesus had to be made like us, His brothers [and sisters], “in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:17-18)
    The myrrh-man bleeds mercy for those who cry out for His help. Merry Christmas!