“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.” (Matthew 2:11-12)
“Who will not fear you, Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous deeds have been revealed.” (Revelations 15:4)
What a special way to end this study – ALL will come and worship before God and Jesus and His Holy Spirit!
Worship began in the Garden when Adam and Eve communed with God while walking together in warmth among beautiful flowers and lush green plants and trees, then through history as people worshipped God by sacrificing their most perfect, young lamb. Then once God became flesh as a baby, not only did Jesus’ parents worship him, but also the shepherds and wise men not long after his birth, followed by the wise men who brought Jesus gifts of bright, rich gold, and the natural, woody aromas from frankincense resin and myrrh which was a dried sap from a thorny trees.
I did a little research and looked up those two scents, or essential oils, that many use these days. I found it so fascinating! Frankincense is the highest quality of all incenses, which means it’s pure and most desirable of all incenses. When that incense is burned, a powerful aroma arises and a very, white cloud forms. Jesus is the highest of all people and things, he is pure and desirable for people to know him, be with him and be loved by him. And that white cloud – reminds me of the cloud that traveled over the slaves (Israelites) who had escaped Pharaoh and wandered in the desert for 40 years.
Myrrh had an earthy aroma and during Jesus’ time, it was an incense often burned in places of worship to help purify the air and prevent the spread of bacterial infections. Myrrh not only supports oral health, skin health and but also combats pain and swelling. Isn’t it interesting that when Jesus was hanging on the cross 30 years later in extreme physical pain, he’d be offered wine drugged with myrrh to help with the pain he was experiencing but he refused it (Mark 15:23)…and the fact that myrrh comes from a thorny tree.
Every detail in the Bible is relevant, is important, is purposeful for us! It’s another way to show us the Truth of who Jesus is, the Son of God, and the son of two young, ordinary people.
When reading Revelations 15:4, ultimately when Jesus returns, all will proclaim that God, our Lord alone is HOLY and ALL will worship before Him. We will lack nothing, as the Great Shepherd says we will not be in want or need of anything except Himself. We will fear no evil because we trust Him and there will be no more death, our souls will be restored, our cups will overflow and we will dwell in the presence and in the house of the Lord in the holiest and most glorious place forever!
Emmanuel, I have much anticipation for that gift of being in Your presence! Thank You for the gift of Jesus and Your Spirit to be an example, and to be alive in us. This Christmas holy-day and season, may we feel the warmth of your LOVE covering us, the PEACE that will calm our anxious hearts and busy days, the HOPE of Your promises to keep us focused on You and experience the JOY that resides deep in our hearts and souls because we believe You are who You say You are! Amen!
What have you been sensing, feeling, experiencing the most this Advent season when it comes to your heart?