When the Magi arrived at the home of Jesus—a toddler at that point—they brought gifts as an act of worship. What is the significance of gold, frankincense, and myrrh?

As an expression of the Magi’s grateful worship, “they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11). Gold had long been and still is the universal symbol of material wealth and value. It was also a symbol of nobility and royalty, and thus the Magi were appropriately giving Christ the King royal gifts of gold. Frankincense was an expensive, sweet-smelling incense used for only the most special occasions. Traditionally, it was the incense of deity. Myrrh was a valuable perfume that some interpreters say represented the gift for a mortal. Therefore its role among the Magi’s gifts was to underscore Christ’s humanity.