What do you bring a King for his birthday? I think the wise men knew something we didn’t. Seriously, when I go to a baby shower, I usually bring diapers, bottles or clothing; not gold, frankincense and myrrh.
“When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” ~ Matthew 2:10-11 (NLT)
As a family, we go to great lengths to have everything in our home point back to Jesus. We do this so that we don’t lose sight of why we celebrate Christmas.
However, this year the Lord has really been working on our hearts in regards to how we give gifts. In particular, how do we give gold, frankincense and myrrh Christmas gifts?
Our Tradition of Gift-Giving
Usually a few weeks leading up to Christmas, we spend time sowing into others, serving in the community and giving gifts to those God has placed on our hearts.
On Christmas morning there’s great peace knowing we have made Christ the focus, given to those in need, and now we can enjoy this time as a family.
We typically start out with communion and prayer before opening gifts. And then our children look for their gifts wrapped in “their” special wrapping paper.
As parents, we don’t overdo it, we keep it simple and that is usually dictated by a budget. But as I’ve been studying about the gifts the wise men brought Jesus, I began to consider how we can change our gift giving, so that it too points others back to Christ.
Understanding Gold Frankincense and Myrrh
When I examined the gifts the wise men brought Jesus, I realized their gifts of: gold, frankincense and myrrh, were purposeful. They weren’t random, but intentional.
And since all of scripture is for our benefit, that means once we know the reasons behind the gifts, we can then give gifts with the same meaning today.
Gold
Gold was a precious metal; a commodity, and considered HIGH in value. In Exodus 25 God gives instructions for the tabernacle to be built with gold. The wise men knew gold was of high value and brought the very best to Jesus.
We too can give the gift of gold, by giving a gift that’s high in value. But let me define high value.
This would be what is valuable to the recipient. Something THEY WANT or NEED, not necessarily what YOU want them to have, or what YOU THINK they need.
The true value of a gift is measured by the recipient. Click To Tweet
Gold, Frankincense, And Myrrh Tags Available In Our FREE LIBRARY!
Scroll down to the bottom of this post for a printable list with instructions!
Frankincense
This was an oil that was used for worship, specifically in the tabernacle in front of the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 30:34-37). This oil was considered holy and set apart for God. So when the wise men brought frankincense to Christ, they brought it to worship Him, knowing that Christ was holy and set apart.
We can give gifts of frankincense today, by giving gifts for spiritual growth; gifts that help others worship God. This can be a Bible, journal, devotional, Bible Belles for young girls, Christ-centered home décor, etc.
Myrrh
Myrrh was used for: medicinal purposes, for purification, for those who were suffering, and sometimes used for embalming bodies. It was an oil that represented bitterness, suffering and pain. So when the wise men brought Myrrh to Jesus, it was representative of Christ taking on our pain and suffering.
I don’t think any of us want to give gifts of pain and suffering, but we can give gifts for our bodies. Things like clothes, undergarments, perfume, cologne, skin care, etc.
Gold, Frankincense, And Myrrh Tags Available In Our FREE LIBRARY!
Scroll down to the bottom of this post for a printable list with instructions!
My Gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh
I don’t know about you, but this puts things in perspective for me. It got me thinking, as much as we try to point everything about the Christmas season to Christ, shouldn’t we do the same with our gifts?
For me, my spirit was convicted to make sure our gifts going forward would reflect the following.
Gold: something of value
Frankincense: something for spiritual growth
Myrrh: something for your body
I got so excited about this, I created gold, frankincense and myrrh Christmas gift tags, that can be used for our gifts to each other accordingly.
Now, our gift giving will be purposeful and intentional. Just like the gifts the wise men brought to Christ.
Gold, Frankincense, And Myrrh Tags Available In Our FREE LIBRARY!
Scroll down to the bottom of this post for a printable list with instructions!
Gold, Frankincense And Myrrh Gift Tags
I cannot wait to finish wrapping all our gifts with these new tags. Just think of the opportunities we will have to share the birth of Jesus Christ with others. Not to mention, the teachable moments with our children when they open their gifts!
All you need are a few things that you probably already have.
Materials Needed
Scroll down to the bottom of this post for a printable list with instructions!
Card Stock – You can use any color of your choice – something that compliments your wrapping paper.
Wrapping Paper – Choose wrapping paper that compliments your card stock.
Twine – This works well when wrapping gifts of frankincense.
Red Ribbon – Red is a great option when wrapping gifts of myrrh.
Gold Ribbon – The perfect choice for wrapping gifts of gold.
Tools Needed
Chances are you’ve these tools around the house.
Gift Tag Instructions
1. Download and print the Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh gift tags from the Living Our Priorities Community Library on any color card stock that matches your wrapping paper.
2. Cut gift tags.
3. Hole Punch gift tags so you can string your twine and / or ribbon.
4. Wrap gifts with wrapping paper of your choice.
5. Use twine and / or ribbon to tie on the appropriate gift tag on each gift. For example: Use the gifts of Gold gift tags with gold ribbon for gifts of value (i.e. gift cards, jewelry, money, etc.).
Use the gifts of Frankincense gift tags with the twine for gifts of spiritual growth (i.e. bibles, journals, devotionals, etc.).
Use the gifts of Myrrh gift tags with red ribbon on gifts for the body (clothes, perfume, etc.).
In The End
Receiving gifts is probably the most favorite tradition of Christmas for many. However, let’s be purposeful and intentional about our gifts, so that they point others to Jesus Christ. After all, He is the reason for the season.
Tell me, how will you give gold, frankincense and myrrh Christmas gifts?
Download Gold Frankincense and Myrrh Gift Tags
PS…Don’t forget to download your FREE Christmas Gift Tags by filling out the form below. And be sure to take a picture and share it with us on us on social media, we’d love to see your gift wrapping.
Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh Gift Tags
Give intentional and purposeful gifts with these gift tags. Each sheet includes 8 gift tags of each; gold, frankincense and myrrh. *For your convenience this handout includes affiliate links which means we earn a small commission if you click on and purchase from one of our affiliate links. You can read our full affiliate disclosure here.
Materials
Tools
Instructions
- Download and print the Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh gift tags from the Living Our Priorities Community Library on any color card stock that matches your wrapping paper.
- Cut Gift Tags
- Hole Punch gift tags so you can string your twine and / or ribbon.
- Wrap gifts with wrapping paper of your choice.
- Use twine and / or ribbon to tie on the appropriate gift tag for each gift. For example: Use the Gifts of Gold gift tags with gold ribbon for gifts of value (i.e. gift cards, jewelry, money, etc.). Use the Gifts of Frankincense gift tags with the twine for gifts of spiritual growth (i.e. bibles, journals, devotionals, etc.). Use the gifts of Myrrh gift tags with red ribbon on gifts for the body (clothes, perfume, etc.).
Notes
There is no right or wrong way to wrap gifts. These gifts tags are a tool, that opens the door for us to share the message of Jesus Christ. So get creative and use any card stock, wrapping paper or ribbon you like!
~ Timberley Gray
I seriously love this! My husband and i are reading and participating in an advent book this year for the first time which is bringing new joy and learning. These gift tags would be the perfect addition. Thank you!
Oh that is exciting to do an advent study together. Hope you enjoy the tags! ~ Blessings
A thoughtful reflection on gift giving this Christmas. Thank you.
Thank you for reading Christine. ~ Blessings
What a great idea! And those tags are beautiful!
Thank you Kira! I am really excited about using them this year. ~ Blessings
How neat, Timberley! I had read somewhere once that the gifts the wise men brought represented specific things (we can speculate). The one that stuck with me is the myrrh for embalming, to potentially prepare Mary’s heart from the beginning. The other one I remember is the gold would be very useful since they had to flee to Egypt. God provided for them. I love your application of these tags you created. They are beautiful! Merry Christmas!
Thank you Kelly! Yes you are so right about the gold, what was given I have read was enough for them to live on while in Egypt. Thank you for stopping by to read. ~ Blessings
These tags are just beautiful!!! And I absolutely love the way you are using them. It’s so perfect! Thanks for sharing them too! Just beautiful and perfect!
Thank you for reading! ~ Blessings
I absolutely love this idea and I am Pinning it!
Thanks for linking up with Grace and Truth.
Thank you Aimee for reading. ~ Blessings
Beautiful gift tags, you’ve done such a great job here. Also the frankincense and myrrh as essential oils were probably the most powerful antibiotics of the day, and a valued gift therefore of health.
You are so right Lizzy, I have enjoyed using the essential oils for health reasons ourselves. ~ Blessings
I just love this and the representation of it’s meanings. I have to say gift giving in my family different from the past, I do very few and they are more specific. As you said what they want or value. Last year, I gave Amazing Grace perfume.
I love the Amazing Grace perfume! Thank you Rebecca for stopping by to read! ~ Blessings
What a great perspective on gift-gifting!
Thank you Dorthea for stopping by to read!
Clever idea! We do something you need, something to read, and something for fun, but I like the idea of tying three gifts to the wise men gifts’ purpose. Thanks for the ideas.
Rachel that works too!
One of the best practical applications of this passage that I have read so far. The reason that I love it is because it is so easy for us to do—and it connects us in a biblical sense back to that moment when the wise men gave their gifts to Our Savior. Intentional gifting carried on throughout the generations. So good!
You’re so sweet Sonya! Thank you, your kind words blesses our hearts.
What great inspiration! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Liz for stopping by to read. ~ Blessings
Love this. Such a great reminder of intentional giving.
Thanks Deb!
This is really good Timberley. You have really unpacked that thing for me. I’ve been wanting to read this for days but I didn’t want to feel rushed. I’m so glad I finally got the opportunity, and I was NOT disappointed. Pinned the article and took a screenshot so I can walk my kids through some of the meaning in simple terms.
Hi Brittany, thank you for stopping by to read. God is so good to give us what we need when we need it. ~ Blessings
I must say, this is such a neat idea!! So creative, and really trying to be God-honoring with your gift giving.