What is myrrh, anyway?
Myrrh comes from a tree. When the Commiferra myrrha tree is slashed with a machete, an aromatic gum resin oozes out, then hardens. In Jesus' time, it was a costly commodity, used to make ointments and perfumes and clean open wounds; a small quantity (less than a pound) was also used for embalming or anointing of the dead, to delay decay and control odors. It could be burned during cremation. Tom's of Maine still uses it in some of their toothpastes!
Why would one of the magi (legend says his name was Caspar) bring such a substance -- valuable though it might be -- as a gift to the baby Jesus? According to Suzetta Tucker, "this gift represents Christ's human nature, the Suffering Savior, the Great Physician, and the Passion." It is thus at once an indicator of Jesus' forthcoming ministry and also a pointer to his suffering and death -- an eminently appropriate signpost to the joy of the Christmas season, and the Crucifixion that would result. Even the gashes required to extract myrrh from its tree are potentially symbolic of the Passion, recalling Jesus' lashes at the hands of Roman soldiers. Yet it was a precious substance, costly to acquire and thus fit for a king, the King of Kings.
For Ms. Tucker's complete article on myrrh, including additional references to the substance in the Old and New Testaments, click here.
Photo source
Article ("ChristStory Christmas Symbols - Myrrh")
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