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Editorial
First Christmas gifts carry same message today
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
If Christmas seems expensive this year, we shouldn't be surprised.
In fact, the gifts at the first Christmas would be out of reach for most of us today.
The Bible indicates that the Wise Men from the East brought gold, frankincense and myrrh, among the most precious trade commodities of the day.
Frankincense, used as a sweet incense during worship, pointed to Jesus' divinity. Myrrh was used in anointing the dead, referring to Jesus' humanity and suffering. Gold symbolizes his kingship.
We all know where to get gold -- entire transcontinental migrations have been triggered by the answer to that question.
But frankincense and myrrh? They're hard to find and getting even tougher.
That's because they both come from parts of Africa subject to drought, overgrazing, insect attacks and political upheaval.
Dutch ecologists are warning that trees that produce frankincense -- tapped like maple syrup from the Boswellia tree -- are in danger of extinction if insects, fire and grazing aren't brought under control.
The aromatic resin has been traded for thousands of years, and it still finds its way into perfumes and cosmetics as well as Christmas candles and burner oils.
Myrrh is a similar fragrant resin that comes from a desert tree threatened by long-term drought.
The Network for Natural Gums and Resins in Africa estimates global demand for frankincense and myrrh at about 2,500 tons per year. Most of it goes to China and Europe, but the Middle East, United States and North Africa also import significant amounts.
So what would be the bill for gold, frankincense and myrrh under the tree today?
Gold, of course, has climbed to more than $1,600 an ounce, from $340 an ounce in 1999. Solid frankincense resins brings about $60 per kilo, and the price of myrrh is usually about twice that, though highly volatile.
Trying to reconstruct the original Christmas gifts would be a costly venture at today's prices.
But adding them up is a good reminder of the importance of giving sacrificial gifts to those who truly deserve them.