In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?  For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage."  When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.  They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"  Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared.  Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage."  When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.  On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage.  Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Pagans consulted their star charts, read into ancient prophecies, gathered their resources together, prepared costly gifts and set out on a great journey spanning many days in order to adore the newborn king of the Jews.  They offered him gold - a gift for kings, frankincense - an offering to God, and myrrh - used to embalm the dead.  Thus they acknowledged the child as King, God and man. 

O Christian, have you searched for your God in creation?  "Ever since the creation of the world God's eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made."  (Romans 1.20) Have you immersed yourself in the prophets and heard the plan of God's salvation?  Have you summoned all your resources together for the lifelong journey of faith, putting all things at its disposal?  Have you readied your gifts of faith, obedience and your own body, that is, faith for God, obedience to the King and the gift of your body in recognition of Christ's flesh?

Shall we have the Magi rise up at the judgment and condemn us because they, without the light of faith, adored the God-man while we with the full grace and faith of Christian baptism have neglected him?  (Matthew 12.41)  Indeed, "how can we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?"  (Hebrews 2.3)

The human person is composed of body, mind and spirit.  From the mind comes reason, which is directed toward faith in God -- the gift of frankincense.  From the spirit comes will, which is directed by the king's subject toward obedience to Christ -- the gift of gold for the king.  The body to is to be given to Christ, all its physical beauty, its sexuality, its health and vitality, its discipline and labors, rest and recreation, in sum the totality of our flesh including its sufferings and ever-increasing limitations -- the gift of myrrh in recognition of Christ's union with us in the flesh.