Gifts for the Savior

The wise men brought their gifts to the Savior, gold, frankincense and myrrh.  Frankincense and myrrh are both resins (thick sappy liquid) that come from trees in the Arabian peninsula.  The resins are harvested by lashing the trees so the healing resin will flow to the surface of the tree and dry into what is known as tears (the dried clumps of resin on the surface of the tree).  Isn't that significant?  Frankincense and myrrh hold symbolic meaning in their uses for healing and anointing.  Significantly, even the harvesting process points to the Savior and His Atonement.  It makes me think of the scripture in Isaiah 53:5 .."with his stripes we are healed."  

The wise men brought gifts for the Savior.  The shepherds brought the gift of their presence, just being there was enough.  President Monson has taught us what we can give the Savior, “When we find him, will we be prepared as were the wise men of old to provide gifts from our many treasures? They presented gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These are not the gifts Jesus asks of us. From the treasure of our hearts Jesus asks that we give of ourselves: ‘Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind’ (D&C 64:34).”  President Thomas S. Monson, “The Search for Jesus,” Ensign, Dec. 1990, 5.