The Price of Gold

I’ve been feeling disconnected. With pretty much everything. So, I decided to start reading the Book of Matthew this week. Really. Slowly. I'm only on Chapter 2 and I'm amazed at the symbolism and how everything old is new again. Take the wise men's gifts to baby Jesus.

Gold. Did you know that gold is at a record high? I know this because it’s being broadcast on signs at every street corner right now. It appears that even McDonald’s has gone into the gold purchasing business. (I think they are planning on adding it to the list of 38 other ingredients in the chicken nuggets. Get it? Nuggets.)  Have you noticed that EVERYONE seems to be buying gold?  The corner gas station. The dry cleaner. All this feverish greed for something “precious.” Hmmm. Maybe we’re (still) missing the point of what’s really precious? Just sayin.

Frankincense (back in the day) was "burned, symbolizing prayer rising to the heavens." Did you know you can buy Frankincense oil today? It's expensive but said to help with Spiritual healing. Wow. Maybe doctors should add this to our list of Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamins and minerals. It could be part of our new national health care plan. We could use some spiritual healing.

Myrrh is noted for its intoxicating fragrance. Once upon a time, Myrrh symbolized death. A mixture of Myrrh and wine was offered to Jesus at his crucifixion. Sad that this was the same stuff they gave to him during his first hours on earth as a baby gift. But He didn't need it anyway.

Even the process of extracting these oils today seems ironic (this is according to “HowStuffWorks”):

The processes for extracting the sap of Boswellia (for frankincense) and Commiphora (for myrrh) are essentially identical. Harvesters make a longitudinal cut in the tree's trunk, which pierces gum resin reservoirs located within the bark. The sap slowly oozes from the cut and drips down the tree, forming tear-shaped droplets that are left to harden on the side of the tree. These beads are collected after two weeks.

"Left to harden on the side of the tree." Sigh.

Some days it’s difficult not get caught up in how cold and unfeeling the world seems. For all our technological advances, sometimes it seems like we’ve forgotten the basics. Like treating each other with respect or checking in with our neighbor to see if they are okay. Or turning off the electronic devices to connect with your kids or friends. I know I’m guilty of it.

Perhaps it’s a good time to remember that the greatest gift was never the gold. Or frankincense. Or even the Myrrh. It was the Baby--and the promise He made.