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What in the World are Frankincense and Myrrh??

December 12, 2016|Posted in: Holidays and Seasons

Gold, Franincense and Myrrh

Gold, Franincense and Myrrh

All of you who celebrate Christmas probably know the song We Three Kings, about the wise men who brought gifts to the Christ child.  But just in case you don’t, I’ve included the lyrics below:

We Three Kings

We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar.
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.

Born a king on Bethlehem’s plain,
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign.

Frankincense to offer have I.
Incense owns a Deity nigh.
Prayer and praising all men raising,
Worship Him, God on high.

Myrrh is mine: it’s bitter perfume
Breaths a life of gathering gloom.
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding dying,
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

Glorious now behold Him arise,
King and God and Sacrifice.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Sounds through the earth and skies.

Chorus

O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light

 

Of course we all know what “gold” is and most of us wish we had a little (or a lot)  more of it!  But have you ever wondered what “frankincense” and “myrrh” are?

I once knew a sweet, sweet lady named Ms. Mary and Ms. Mary had a pretty box that contained gold, frankincense and myrrh.  One Christmas she showed me her pretty Box and that was the first time I ever actually saw frankincense and myrrh.  A few years later I was fortunate to come across a pretty box just like her’s and I was able to purchase it for my very own.

Below are pictures and descriptions of the gold, frankincense and myrrh that are very similar to the gifts that the kings brought.

Gold

Gold

Frankincense

Frankincense

Myrrh

Myrrh

Gold, of course, is a precious metal that is mined from the earth and streams.  It is very valuable and if you possess a lot of it, then you are considered wealthy!  In order to make the box affordable, the gold my pretty box contains is a small amount of gold shavings enclosed in a clear plastic, rock shaped container full of water that makes it sparkle and shine.

Frankincense is dried sap from Boswellia sacra trees that grow in and around Africa. The dried sap is burned as incense and is believed to have medicinal properties. It is a cream to pale yellow color and has a lemony, sweet, woody aroma.

Myrrh is also dried sap.  It comes from Commiphora myrrha trees that also grow in and around Africa.  Today it is a commonly used essential oil with a smoky, sweet, sometimes bitter smell.  It is an orange tinted medium brown color.  Its uses are as a spice, to purify the dead and medicinal.

So if you didn’t already know what frankincense and myrrh are – now you do!

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3 Comments

  1. candy
    December 16, 2016

    Leave a Reply

    So wonderful to read your post about the gifts the Wise Men brought for Christ. They were indeed special gifts and still are today. Thanks for linking up with Blogging Grandmothers.

  2. Grammy Dee
    December 17, 2016

    Leave a Reply

    What a great post! I don’t think a lot of people here in the USA have any idea what frankincense and myrrh are. I know I didn’t until I started using Young Living essential oils. Thank you for partying with us at Blogging Grandmothers Christmas Link Party. We’ve shared your post on Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter.

  3. Clearissa
    December 18, 2016

    Leave a Reply

    Thank you for sharing wth the #blogginggrandmothers.

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