|
|
|
|
The Gift of the Magi |
| Section: NATURAL SCIENCE / NATURE WALK |
| Author: Nigel Groom |
| Publication: The world & I online |
| Issue Date: 12/1/1989 |
| Size: 1,352 Words, 7,943 Characters |
|
In the life of Jesus, myrrh is present both at his birth in Bethlehem and his death in Jerusalem. Saint Matthew's narrative ensured that the visit of the Magi--the wise men, with gold, frankincense, and myrrh, for "he that is called King of the Jews"--is well remembered. But myrrh also appears in the last offering made to Jesus at the crucifixion--"and they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh, but he received it not." And later Nicodemus brought "a mixture of myrrh and aloes," with which the body was wound in a cloth.
The appearance of myrrh at the birth and death of Jesus underlines the symbolism attached by tradition to the gifts of the Magi: Gold is the emblem of royalty; frankincense betokens divinity; and myrrh, derived from a Semitic word meaning "bitter" (after myrrh's b...
. . .
... for a pleasure enjoyed by somebody else," he complained, "for a person carrying scent about him cannot even smell it himself!" A vast sum was spent by Rome on its imports from the Orient. "That," Pliny bemoaned, "is the amount which our luxuries and our women cost us." But the rich will always pay highly for the best, and few luxuries were more valuable than myrrh, a fitting gift for a King.
(806 of 7,943 characters)
Do you want to read
the whole article? You can
purchase it here.
Subscriber Login |
|
|
Publication Details
(The World & I Online) |
|
The World & I Online is a
comprehensive academic resource that encompasses a broad range of
articles by scholars and experts in the areas of Global Studies,
Liberal Arts, Fine & Applied Arts, General Science, and Spanish.
Originally published monthly in print as The World & I, our site
includes the complete contents since 1986 and continues to publish
a new issue online each month. |
|
Individual Subscription
|
 |
|
|
|
College Orders (based
on full-time enrollment) |
|
-
2 to 5 Computers |
|
-
Up to 1,000 Students |
|
-
1,001 to 2,500 Students |
|
-
2,501 to 5,000 Students |
|
-
5,001 to 10,000 Students |
|
-
10,001 or More Students |
|
|
|
Public Library Orders |
|
-
2 to 5 Computers |
|
-
6 to 50 Computers |
|
-
51 to 100 Computers |
|
For over 100
computers, call 866-211-6040. |
|
|
