Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh
As we near Epiphany, your family can travel along with the Wise Men, carrying gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to share with each other!
There are many interpretations of the meanings of the gifts brought to baby Jesus by the three Wise Men. You can read more about the three gifts here and about myrrh specifically here. Gold is widely considered a symbol of royalty, frankincense a symbol of deity, and myrrh a symbol of death. We encourage you to look at these gifts in a new way, for example:
Gold was associated with royalty partly because it's so valuable, and it still is! But even more valuable than gold is the time your family spends together. This week, set aside time for a fun family activity. And because Jesus was a different kind of king, take a different approach to your "royal" gift, and let the person who doesn't usually decide what your family does decide what your family will do! Perhaps it's the youngest person in your family, perhaps it's the quietest or least opinionated person in your family. Just be prepared to do what they suggest, even if it means watching multiple episodes of Bluey or spending all day at the park.
Frankincense was used in religious rituals, so engage with this gift by doing something together that connects you to God. Sit and read scripture together, or set aside a family prayer time even if you don't normally have time for one, or carve out a chunk of time to sit together quietly and listen for the voice of God.
Myrrh was also extremely valuable, and while it was used to prepare bodies for burial, it also had medicinal uses such as boosting immunity and improving oral and skin health. In order to engage with this gift, focus on the life affirming side of myrrh, and create a healthy family habit to kick off the new year. Perhaps you'll experiment with new ways to add vegetables to your meals, perhaps you'll each get a new water bottle and resolve to increase your water intake, perhaps you'll set a family bed time and start the new year with some healthy sleep habits...the choice is yours! Choose something that is specific, realistic, and hold yourselves accountable for keeping up with it.
When the Wise Men arrive in Bethlehem on January 6, your family will be right there with them, and the gifts you are carrying might last well into the new year.
In what activities has your family found gold, frankincense, and myrrh? Share with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
