“Christmas: the Son of God expressing the love of God to save us from the wrath of God so we could enjoy the presence of God.” (John Piper).
The ‘Gifts of The Magi’ has had it’s peaks and troughs throughout the history of Christmas. While Gold has indeed evolved as THE Most Valued by Man, (spoke volumes to the Conscious World when the Gold was brought from the rubbles of the World Trade Center’s bombing), GOLD has clearly become known as the ‘Antithesis of God’… “you Love One, you Hate the Other”… that part! Which leaves the two ‘plant based’ GIFTS that remain in obscurity: Frankincense and Myrrh.
A closer look in this space in Christmas time at Frankincense reveals it’s value yet unknown. The Aromachologist and Aromatherapists have most all determined their ‘Top Ten’ essential oils for their healing, medicinal and holistic health properties. Frankincense Tops most lists, yet never excluded by any.
Frankincense is ancient and fabled. It’s use as a fragrant perfume can be seen in a multitude of historical sources from as early as 1500 BC where the Egyptian Ebers Papyrus’ references to frankincense prescribes the resin as a use for throat infections and asthmatic attacks. The Roman, Pliny mentioned it as an antidote to hemlock. the Islamic philosopher, Ibn Sina (980-1037 AD) recommended it for tumors, ulcers, and fevers.
Frankincense has never been domesticated or truly cultivated: the trees grow where they will and survive in place for very long periods. Growing mostly in Northeast Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, the trees grow in oases surrounded by harsh deserts, and overland routes to market were difficult at best. The trees have no central trunk but seem to grow up out of the bare rock to heights of about 7 or 8 feet. Harvesting is done two to three times a year, spaced out so the tree can recover. The resin is harvested by scraping a 2 centimeter (3/4 of an inch) opening and allowing the resin to ooze out on its own, and harden on the tree trunk. Take away too much resin and the seeds won’t germinate. After a few weeks, the resin has dried and is taken to market.
Burning crystalized pieces of Frankincense resin gives a permeating scent which has, from antiquity signaled rites of passages at childbirth, weddings, and funerals. The incense is and was used to smooth and oil hair and sweeten the breath. Soot from the incense burners was used for eye makeup and tattoos.
The market for incense was so great, the traders spun mythic fables to memorialize the espionage along the two international trade and commercial routes —to include the distribution developed by the Nabataean culture who came to monopolize the Frankincense Trade Route that crossed Arabia, East Africa, and India.
Modern medical practitioners identify Frankincense as having anti-inflammatory properties contained in it’s boswellic acids. Frankincense oil is used topically to alleviate pain. It can be inhaled. Frankincense oil can be ingested; now available in capsule form. Chewing frankincense strengthen the gums; and eliminates harmful bacteria in the mouth. Research studies have shown the Anti-Cancer Properties of Frankincense. Some research suggests that frankincense oil can distinguish between cancerous and normal cells; targeting only the cancer cells for destruction. Even in healing management of Diabetes. Studies show that Frankincense can improve blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
“So bring Him Incense, Gold and Myrrh; Come peasant, king to own Him. The King of Kings salvation bring brings; Let loving hearts enthrone Him” is a very primal indication of the synonymous history of Frank(incense) as an original INCENSE used in Worship and Ritual dating back thousands of years before the birth of Jesus in the ancient African and Indian Hindu Temples.
One can only Imagine the full extent to which the Wise Men intended their ‘Message of The Gift of Frankincense’ to make it’s way across time. We Can Know a renewed, or for some, a Brand New ‘Aesthetic’ this Christmas season in the knowledge of ‘The Magi’s Gift of Frankincense’ given to the BABY Christchild at his birth.
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