frankincense and myrrh Archives

So, What Are “Frankincense and Myrrh”?

November 15, 2023November 13, 2018 by debisimons

These two items show up all over the place in Christmas music. This verse from the modern carol “In the Silence” by Craig Courtney with words incorporating an Appalachian folk song is particularly pointed, as it includes the symbolism quite plainly:

Have you ever in the silence wondered at the thought

Of how it came to pass the Wise Men chose the gifts they brought?

Frankincense for holy ones, and gold for kings, but myrrh?
Why a gift for tombs they brought on this, the Savior’s birth?

So, what are “frankincense and myrrh”?

December 10, 2020November 20, 2014 by debisimons

I think we all have a vague idea that these two items, brought by the Magi as gifts (along with gold) to the Christ child, have something to do with perfume or incense, but that’s probably about it. They’re very interesting, though, both in themselves and in their symbolism. So I do want to talk about all that, but first let me say here that the Magi did not come to the stable. All those manger scenes with them and their camels are just plain wrong. But without them the scene wouldn’t be nearly as colorful, would it? So I guess we won’t insist too loudly on scriptural accuracy in decorations.