Gifts for a King

“Oil! What kind of a cheap king hands out oil for a present? You get better presents from the firemen!”

-- Imogene Herdman, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Every December, I love to read Barbara Robinson’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever to my students. The 1970s classic is about a group of six misfit siblings, the Herdmans, taking over the local church’s annual Christmas pageant. The Herdmans are a group of unruly, cigar-smoking, cussing, lunch-money stealing bullies who strike fear in the hearts of teachers and classmates alike.

The mother of the narrator finds herself in charge of the pageant at the last-minute. Unexpectedly, the six Herdmans are cast in the leading roles: Mary, Joseph, the three wise men, and the Angel of the Lord. The only trouble is that the siblings are also Christmas-story newbies. So rehearsals have to start by first telling the Herdmans the story of the Christ child’s birth.

The whole narrative leaves Herdmans flabbergasted. They’re frustrated with Joseph for allowing Jesus to be born in a dirty stable, ticked off at the wise men and their gifts, and ready to storm the palace to string Herod up by his pinky toes. 

The book is a quick, humorous account of how the Herdmans not only transform the Christmas pageant, but also how the story of Jesus’ birth impacts them as well. Even though the dress rehearsal was a mess, they’re able to get through the pageant, albeit with a few minor changes to the story. For example, Claude Herdman replaced the Magi’s myrrh with a ham the family had received in a charity basket.

They didn’t like the trio of gifts, so they gave something more practical and from the heart. 

And this got me thinking. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh. What gives?

Why did the wise men give the gifts they did? And had I arrived on the scene, as a member of a royal party from the east or as a lowly shepherd in the silence of the night, what would I have brought to lay before the baby Jesus.

The Herdmans didn’t see the importance of the gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but I doubt the significance of these gifts was lost on Joseph and Mary. You see, the impact of the gifts rests in their great value—as they were indeed gifts fit for a king.

Ancient civilizations have associated gold with royalty, immortality, and deity. Because of its value, the gold was perhaps very useful in paying for Mary and Joseph’s flight to Egypt to escape Herod. Symbolically, gold was a gift for the king.

Like the gold, frankincense was also a very precious and highly valued commodity. Frankincense is a dried resin that’s been used in perfumes and incense for thousands of years. It was often valued for its aroma and ability to disinfect. Frankincense was a part of Jewish temple worship. Burning incense at the altar was a key part of the sacrificial system prescribed by God for use in the tabernacle and, later, in the temple itself. The book of Exodus calls for a specific recipe of spices mixed with “pure frankincense”. It was to be consecrated as “pure and holy” and was the only incense permitted at the altar. Thus as a symbol of prayer, Frankincense was a gift for the High Priest and mediator between God and man.

Myrrh is also a dried resin that’s been used in perfumes, incense, and medicines for thousands of years. It has been valued for its aroma as well as for its use as an antiseptic, analgesic, and other medicinal qualities. Myrrh was also a burial ointment used in embalming. Thus, myrrh was a gift for the one who would die.

We know what the Magi brought to Jesus, but if you were there in that stable, what would you bring as a gift to the newborn king? Would it be a gift of great value and of even greater symbolism like those of the Magi? Or would you opt for something more on the practical side, like a blanket and a crib as suggested by my stepdaughter? Perhaps you’d reach down into your treasure of talents to find a gift. A song, a poem, a painting, or your best homemade quilt. Maybe a drum solo?

Maybe you’d channel your inner Herdman and bring something to eat. How about some baked goods for the brand new bread of Life? 

Your family’s best tamales? 

A dozen Christmas cannoli? 

Your favorite bottle of wine?

Or would you bring something that’s weighing you down? Perhaps your grief as this is your first Christmas without a loved one. How about your worries over your job situation, the health of your child, an aging parent, or a big decision that’s keeping you up at night. Would you bring your unfulfilled hopes for a spouse, a baby of your own, or a more rewarding career?

Because a good 30 years later, that little baby asked all of us to pay him a visit. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

For me, past Christmases have seen my heart heavy with sorrow, concern, and longing. Thankfully, this is not one of those years. The future will undoubtedly see those emotions again. But this year I’m bringing the joy of my first Christmas with my new family. Included will be appreciation for Beautiful Karla’s large and loving extended family. Lastly, I’ll add some gratitude for a healthy dad, two wonderful sisters, and their quartet of talented children. 

I’ll even throw in a batch of ginger snaps in honor of my mom watching from heaven.

What would you bring to the baby Jesus?

May this day be full of joy and rest for your soul.

Merry Christmas!