Article December 21, 1899 Issue

Christmas Gifts

BY MINNIE E. ERWIN.

And when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. — Matthew.

In the ebb and flow of Christmas-tide, thought goes back the centuries to a day some nineteen hundred years ago, where in a little Judæan town, wise men found the infant Jesus, whom they had faithfully sought, and, opening their treasures, "presented unto him gifts."

Prophets in many climes, and for long ages, had foretold the coming of a king who was to gather into one universal unity of peace and plenty all nations and peoples; and that the birth of this king was to be signaled to the world by the appearing, in the eastern horizon, of a brilliant star. Seeing the star these watching wise men, laden with the choicest products of their countries, journeyed, with glad hearts, from their distant homes, that they might lay at the feet of the infant king tokens of love, reverence, and allegiance. Canon Farrar, in his "Life of Christ," referring to the visit of the Magi, and the offerings they brought, says, "The imagination of early Christians has seen in each gift a special significance, myrrh for the human nature; gold to the king, and frankincense to the divinity." To-day this old, old story comes to every Christian Scientist with new illumination and a clearer meaning. "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" is to us the star which has shone out in the twilight of the nineteenth century.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
Christmas Musings
December 21, 1899
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit