The wise men's gift of myrrh reveals three essential responses to Jesus that should characterize our lives. Throughout the Old Testament, myrrh was used in sacred anointing oil to set apart priests and holy objects, in royal burials to honor kings, and in wedding ceremonies to symbolize covenant love. When Mary anointed Jesus with expensive perfume, she demonstrated all three meanings: declaring Him set apart for holy purpose, honoring Him as King, and expressing deep love. Our faithful response to Jesus should similarly declare Him as set apart from everything else, resolve that He is King with complete authority over our lives, and move beyond mere belief to genuine heart-connected love.

Christmas gift-giving originated from the wise men's gifts to Jesus, particularly their gift of gold. This wasn't a random present but a dangerous declaration that Jesus was blessed by God, worthy of royal honor, and the presence of God on earth. King Herod surrounded himself with gold to display power and divine blessing, so bringing gold to baby Jesus was essentially declaring Him worthy of the same recognition. Just as the wise men brought their best gifts to honor Jesus as King, we should examine what our daily lives declare about who we believe Jesus is. Are we giving Him our best through obedience, trust, and worship, or just our leftovers?

The wise men's gift of frankincense to Jesus wasn't just an expensive present—it was a profound symbol of God's provision. Frankincense was a required ingredient in the Jewish grain offering, used to acknowledge God as the ultimate provider. The timing of this gift was crucial: when God called Joseph to flee to Egypt with his family, the valuable frankincense could be sold to fund their survival. This story reveals three layers of provision: symbolizing God as our provider, recognizing Jesus as God's ultimate gift to humanity, and meeting immediate practical needs. When God calls us to action, He provides what we need to follow through.