The name of our solemnity today comes from the Greek word for manifestation and refers to those occasions in sacred society when the Lord’s divinity is revealed. We can trace the origin of today’s feast to the year 150. Most of us do not know the names of the 3 Kings, but we know their gifts. While the sacred society do not give many details concerning the magi themselves, the offerings they bring figure prominently in the account.

1. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh indicate the wisemen were not from the Holy Land. None of the gifts are natural to the Holy Land, but had to be imported. This symbolically represents Glory revealed to the world.
2. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh were very precious and expensive.
3. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh were significant Jewish worship

            *Gold – used in holiest part of the temple, the ark, and the altar
            *Frankincense – gum resin from Amyrid tree of Nabatean used in meeting tent and House of Holy.
            *Myrrh – gum resin from trees in Arabia to prepare bodies but also a powder mixed with oil to anoint all sacred vessels.

The 3 gifts not merely to an earthly King, but gifts were specifically for the Jewish worship of God himself. Truly manifesting the Lord to non-Jews. Under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the magi presented Gold, frankincense, and myrrh in order to worship the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob made flesh in the little child of Mary.