I know all about gold, but what is Frankincense and Myrrh? Those were the three gifts the Magi took to Bethlehem for Baby Jesus, but do I want to put them on my Christmas list? I asked the questions, and here’s what I learned…
Both Frankincense and Myrrh are saps that come from cutting the bark of some trees and allowing them to slowly ooze out. Sometimes it takes months before enough sap has built up to remove and use. Frankincense is often used as incense that is burned to smell good. Myrrh is used more like a perfume.
They were valuable gifts back in Bible times, but are they more valuable than an Xbox 360 today? A quick search online showed a pound of Frankincense and Myrrh on Amazon.com for only $9.55. An ounce of gold today is worth over $1,120 dollars.
I don’t need the Frankincense because you would have to play with matches to burn it as incense. I also don’t wear any smelly perfume, so forget the Myrrh. But I’ll glad to take all the gold you want to send me for Christmas. Just think what an ounce of gold would buy at the video game store!
–The Why Guy