Frankincense, when burned (like incense), has a wonderful smell and was often used in Temple worship to one's god of choice. Giving this gift to Christ clearly identifies the Magi's choice of whom they will worship! Myrrh is a sweet smelling spice that had many uses such as an ointment for skin irritations (e.g., diaper rash), pain relief (when mixed with wine) and as a perfume used in embalming before burial. Gold is the gift usually reserved for a King. This gift is clearly the most expensive one today.

As my friend decided, it would be easier to give only the first two gifts (incense and spices) and call it a day. Sometimes, we too can settle on offering God our verbal and ritual homage (incense) but are not willing to offer that which would cost us the most: our wills, our plans, our lives. This is the gold that Jesus wants.

We can praise him with our incense and flatter him with our spices but if, after meeting him, we walk in the same in direction as we did before, then we really haven't even begun to trust him with that which is most invaluable: our lives. As you bring your gifts to the altar today, don't leave God to ask: "So, where is the gold?"