Seamus Hammond
The birth of Jesus was marked by the arrival of the three wise men, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The inclusion of incense, a substance burned in worship of a deity, may have indicated that the wise men recognised the newborn king's divinity. Incense is mentioned throughout the Bible and is offered to God as a holy act of worship. It is also used in private homes by those who wish to create an atmosphere of churchly peace. The sweet fragrance of incense is thought to symbolise the prayers of God's people, ascending to God in the smoke.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Symbolism | The incense was a symbol of Jesus' divinity |
| Worship | Incense is offered to God in worship throughout the Bible, at his own divine command |
| Wealth | Incense was expensive and valuable at the time of Jesus' birth |
| Sacrifice | Incense was burned at the altar as a sacrifice to God |
| Divinity | The gift of incense acknowledged Jesus' sinlessness |
| Royalty | The gift of incense acknowledged Jesus' right to rule |
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What You'll Learn
Incense is a symbol of worship and divinity
Incense has long been a symbol of worship and divinity. In the Bible, incense is offered to God as a holy act of worship. God gave Moses and Aaron specific instructions for the times, places, and methods of burning incense. It was to be burned perpetually before the Lord.
The sweet fragrance of incense is said to help lift our prayers up to God. In Psalm 140/141:2, David prays, "May my prayer be set before you like incense". Similarly, in Psalm 141:2, it is written, "Let my prayer be set before you as incense; let the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice". The altar of incense is thus seen as a symbol of the prayers of God's people.
Incense was also used in private homes by those who wished to create an atmosphere of churchly peace in their place of prayer.
When the Magi offered incense to the newborn Christ, it was a symbol of his divinity, according to Saint Irenaeus of Lyons. The gift of incense to Jesus by the Magi may have indicated that they understood the prophecy of the newborn king to be a claim of deity.
The frankincense and myrrh given to Jesus were fragrant gum resins extracted from trees in South Arabia and Ethiopia. They were used to make perfumes and anointing oils during the era of Jesus' birth in the Middle East.
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Incense is a sweet fragrance that lifts hearts to God
Incense has been offered to God as a holy act of worship throughout the Bible, at his own divine command. The sweet fragrance of incense is pleasing to our senses and helps us physically and spiritually lift up our hearts to God. The Bible says, "Let my prayer be set before you as incense; let the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice" (Psalm 140/141:2). This verse is still sung daily at Vespers, as the new liturgical day begins with an "evening sacrifice" of prayer and incense.
The burning of incense is closely associated with the ceremonial worship of a deity. In the ancient world, incense was burned as a holy offering, with its sweet fragrance rising to the heavens as a symbol of prayer and devotion. The act of burning incense was a way to physically and spiritually lift up one's prayers to God, as the smoke carried the prayers up to the divine realm.
The gift of incense to Jesus by the Magi is significant in this context. The Magi, or wise men, were a class of scholars from Persia with expertise in astronomy and alchemy. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the newborn Jesus, recognising his divinity and accepting him as the King of kings. The inclusion of frankincense, a valuable aromatic gum resin, as a gift may indicate that the wise men understood the newborn king's claim to deity.
Incense is also used in private homes by those who wish to create an atmosphere of churchly peace in their place of prayer. The sweet fragrance of incense helps to bring to mind the common prayer of all Christians, uniting them in their devotion to God.
The altar of incense in the Holy Place was a symbol of Christ's mediation on our behalf—his work on earth and in heaven. The perpetual burning of incense on the altar represents the perpetual nature of Christ's mediation, and the sweet fragrance is a symbol of the prayers of believers rising to God.
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Incense is used in private homes for prayer
The practice of burning incense has a long history in religion, and it continues to be used in worship today. In the Bible, incense is offered to God as a holy act of worship, and this practice was continued by the Church. Incense is burned in private homes by those who wish to create an atmosphere of churchly peace in their place of prayer.
The sweet fragrance of incense is thought to help lift our hearts to God, and it is also believed that the smoke of incense carries prayers up to God. Indeed, in his vision of heaven, John saw the elders around the throne "holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people" (Revelation 5:8; cf. 8:3). Incense is also mentioned in Psalm 141:2, where David prays, "May my prayer be set before you like incense".
The gift of incense to Jesus at his birth by the Magi is significant. Firstly, it acknowledges his divinity, as incense was burned in worship of a deity. Secondly, it may indicate that the Magi understood that Jesus's birth heralded his future sacrifice, as the burning of incense was closely associated with the sacrificial system. Finally, the gift of incense may also have foreshadowed Jesus's death, as myrrh, another gift of the Magi, was a key ingredient in the mixture of spices used to prepare bodies for burial.
The gifts of the Magi are also significant in that they show that Jesus's birth was an event not just for the Jews, but for the whole world, as Gentiles came to worship the Jewish Messiah.
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Incense was burned in the Holy Place, a symbol of Christ's mediation
The practice of burning incense in the Holy Place is a symbol of Christ's mediation. Incense has been offered in worship to God throughout the Bible and continues to be practised by the Church today. Incense is often associated with the ceremonial worship of a deity, and its sweet fragrance is thought to be pleasing to God.
In the time of Christ, incense was burned in the Temple. For instance, in Luke 1:10, Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, was offering incense in the Temple when John's birth was announced. Incense was also burned at the altar in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple, as prescribed by God in the sacrificial system. According to Exodus 30, a specific recipe of spices mixed with "pure frankincense" was to be used at the altar.
The altar of incense in the Holy Place symbolises Christ's mediation on our behalf. The perpetual burning of incense represents the perpetual nature of Christ's mediation, and the sweet-smelling aroma is likened to the prayers of believers, which are made acceptable to God through Christ.
The gift of incense to Jesus at his birth by the Magi or Wise Men may have indicated their understanding of his divinity and the prophecy of the newborn king. Frankincense, in particular, was closely associated with ceremonial worship and was highly valued in the ancient world. Its inclusion as a gift may have acknowledged Jesus' right to rule and his sinlessness.
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Incense was a valuable gift, acknowledging Christ's right to rule
Incense was a valuable gift to Jesus at his birth, acknowledging Christ's right to rule. The practice of burning incense is a divine command, an act of worship, and a way to carry prayers up to God. Incense was burned in the Temple, and the altar of incense was situated before the mercy seat of the Ark, symbolising Christ's mediation on our behalf.
The gift of incense to Jesus by the Magi, or wise men, is significant. Frankincense, a fragrant gum resin, was closely associated with the ceremonial worship of a deity in the ancient near east. The wise men may have understood the prophecy of the newborn king to carry a claim of deity, and the gift of frankincense acknowledged this.
The inclusion of frankincense as a gift may also have had an implied connection with Temple worship. Burning incense at the altar was a key part of the sacrificial system prescribed by God for use in the Tabernacle and, later, in the Temple itself. The altar of incense can be seen as a symbol of the prayers of God's people.
The gift of incense to Jesus, therefore, symbolised the perpetual nature of Christ's mediation and acknowledged his right to rule.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense is offered to God in worship throughout the Bible, and its sweet fragrance is pleasing to human senses, helping us physically and spiritually connect with God. The burning of incense is a divine command. The inclusion of incense as a gift for Jesus may indicate that the wise men understood the prophecy of the newborn king's divinity.
Incense is used in worship and prayer. It is often burned on altars and offered to God. In the Bible, incense is described as a symbol of the prayers of God's people, ascending to God like the smoke of the incense.
The wise men brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus. Gold is the metal of kings, acknowledging Jesus' right to rule. Myrrh was a key ingredient in the mixture of spices used to prepare bodies for burial, indicating Jesus' humanity and foreshadowing the manner in which he would save his people.
