Orthodox Biz Blog

Almost everyone knows the story. Three Magi follow the star to Bethlehem and present Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh as gifts to the infant Christ.

Do we know why the Magi give these gifts?

They give Christ gold because He is the king, Frankincense because He is the incarnate Lord and God, and Myrrh because He is human.

Why give gold to a king?
Since gold is valuable, beautiful, useful, portable, recyclable and long lasting, gold is a gift worthy of a king.

Why offer frankincense (incense) to God?
Orthodox Christians are very familiar with frankincense since it is present in all their liturgical services. Every Sunday afternoon I would visit my Yiayia (Greek for grandmother) who would meet me with the greeting “You smell like church”, as the frankincense from the priest’s censor during the Divine Liturgy had permeated my clothes and my being.
The use of frankincense in prayer and blessings goes back to the Jewish temple: “Let my prayer arise before you as incense and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice” (Psalm 141).

Why give myrrh?
Myrrh oil has been useful since Biblical times to protect both mother and child from infection and to lift spirits.

Are frankincense (Boswellia carteri) and myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) related?
Yes, they come from trees in the same botanical family (Burseraceae or Frankincense) with gummy resins that can be burned as incense or steam distilled to produce essential oils. When inhaled, both frankincense and myrrh oils contain sesquiterpenes that travel to the brain and influence hormones as well as memory and emotions. They also reduce inflammation, the source of many diseases.

Besides Holy Scripture, what texts mention frankincense and myrrh?
Thousands. For example, the Ebers Papyrus of Egypt (c. 1550 B.C.) discusses their use, as do Natural Remedies of Arabia by Lebling and Pepperdine (c. 2006) and the Essential Oils Desk Reference by Essential Science Publishing (c. 2007).

How may one obtain the oils of frankincense and myrrh and give them to loved ones?
They may be ordered from my website, www.youngliving.org/eleos in several ways:
First, as single, therapeutic grade essential oils;
Second, in a beautifully packaged kit called Essence of the Season, along with resins of frankincense and myrrh and an exquisite Christmas Spirit blend of the essential oils of spruce, cinnamon bark and orange; and
Third, in many other Young Living essential oil blends and personal care products found on my site.

What gift is available this month from Eleos?
Anyone who places a Young Living order at www.youngliving.org/eleos and sends me a comment on my blog before February 15, 2008 will receive a free autographed copy of my story, The Violet Rose (Or… On loving your neighbor as yourself…).

Thank you for visiting my blog and sharing your thoughts with me. Please continue to send me your questions and comments.

May your daily life be blessed with the joy, hope and peace of our Lord’s Incarnation.

Until next time, many Blessings,
Di