Christmas Unwrapped - Part 2

God gave us the greatest gift when He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to this world. And in response to this divine gift, the wise men gave gifts that carried profound meaning.

Today, we will unwrap the gifts of the wise men: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

These weren’t random or ordinary gifts. They were deeply symbolic, revealing who Jesus is and pointing us toward how we should honor Him in our own lives.

Transition:

Let’s take a closer look at these gifts and discover how we can bring our own gifts to Jesus this Christmas.

Matthew 2:1–12 KJV 1900

Now when Jesus was born in Beth-lehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Beth-lehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Beth-lehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Beth-lehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

As we can see in verse 11 there were three gifts presented to baby Jesus. Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh.

Just as the wise men gave three gifts. I am going to share with you three gifts you can give Jesus.

Main Points:

Main Point #1: Gold

The first gift we encounter is gold. Gold has always been a symbol of royalty, wealth, and authority.

When the wise men laid gold at the feet of Jesus, they were acknowledging Him as King.

Not just a king, but the King of Kings. This wasn’t an ordinary baby—this was the one who would reign forever.

Isaiah 9:6–7 NKJV

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Jesus’ kingship is unlike any earthly rule. He doesn’t rule through force or fear but through love, grace, and truth.

His kingdom is eternal, and it demands our allegiance.

The Gift of Kingship

The question for us today is this: Have we acknowledged Jesus as King over our lives?

It’s one thing to sing “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and declare, “Glory to the newborn King,” but have we truly submitted to His reign?

What areas of our lives are we still holding onto, refusing to surrender to His authority?

This Christmas, let’s offer Jesus the gift of submission, crowning Him King over every part of our lives—our families, our decisions, our finances, and our futures.

Main Point #2: Frankincense

The second gift the wise men brought was frankincense. Frankincense was a fragrant resin used in temple worship.

It was burned as incense in the holy place, symbolizing prayers rising to God.

By giving frankincense, the wise men recognized Jesus’ divinity and His role as our High Priest.

Hebrews 4:14–16 NKJV

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Frankincense reminds us that Jesus is our mediator.

He bridges the gap between us and God, granting us direct access to the throne of grace. Through Him, we can worship God in spirit and in truth.

The Gift of Worship

Are we giving Jesus the gift of true worship?

Worship isn’t just about singing songs on Sunday; it’s about living a life that glorifies Him every day.

It’s about aligning our hearts with His will and making Him the center of our adoration.

This Christmas, let’s set aside time to worship Jesus—not just in song, but in the way we live.

Let our prayers, our obedience, and our devotion rise to Him like a pleasing aroma.

Main Point #3: The Gift of Sacrifice

The third gift was myrrh. Myrrh was used in embalming and anointing the dead.

It’s an unusual gift for a baby, but it carried a prophetic significance.

Myrrh pointed to the suffering and sacrifice that Jesus would endure on the cross for our sins.

John 19:39–40 NKJV

And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.

This verse tells us that Nicodemus brought myrrh to prepare Jesus’ body for burial after His crucifixion.

From His birth, Jesus was destined to die. The shadow of the cross fell over the manger.

The gift of myrrh reminds us that Jesus came not just to live among us but to give His life as a ransom for many.

The Gift of Sacrifice

What sacrifices are we willing to make for Jesus?

Following Him often requires us to give up our comfort, our plans, and even our pride. But as we lay down our lives for Him, we find true life.

This Christmas, let’s offer Jesus the gift of sacrifice.

It could mean forgiving someone who has hurt us, giving generously to those in need, or stepping out in faith to serve where He is calling us.

Conclusion:

As we reflect on the gifts of the wise men, we see a powerful picture of how we can honor Jesus:

Gold reminds us to crown Him as King of our lives.

Frankincense calls us to worship Him in spirit and truth.

Myrrh challenges us to live sacrificially for His glory.

This Christmas, let’s not get so caught up in the busyness of the season that we forget to bring our own gifts to Jesus.

What can you offer Him today?

Maybe it’s your time, your talents, your treasure, or your heart.

Whatever it is, bring it to Him with a spirit of love and gratitude.

Closing Illustration:

Let me end with this story. There was a little boy who wanted to give Jesus a gift for Christmas. He didn’t have much, so he decided to write a note. On Christmas morning, he placed it in his family’s nativity scene.

The note simply said, “Dear Jesus, I give You me.”

That’s the greatest gift we can give, ourselves.

Let’s dedicate our hearts, our lives, and our gifts to Jesus this Christmas.

Closing Prayer:

Father, we thank You for the indescribable gift of Your Son, Jesus. As we reflect on the gifts of the wise men, we ask that You help us to honor Him as King, worship Him as our Savior, and follow Him sacrificially. May our lives be a gift to You, bringing glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.