Christmas Eve and Christmas morning in Christian homes around the world, families gather together to read the account of Jesus’ birth. It is one way of remembering the purpose of the holiday. Before we open our own gifts, inside the Christmas story, we find this idea of giving gifts to Jesus.

As Matthew recounts the story of Jesus, he writes of the wise men who traveled to see Jesus shortly after His birth. History does not tell us the number of persons who traveled to see Him, but it does tell us that they brought gifts — three gifts. Matthew 2:11 says, “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”

If you were a person like these wise men, studying old texts and writings, and learned that a King who would reign over the whole world was going to be born, that would be exciting news. If that King would also be the Son of God, well, that is news enough to get you to pack your bags and start out on a journey across the land to the place where you could find this coming King. And if it was important enough for you to travel more than 800 miles by camel or donkey, then it would also be very important that you bring the correct gift with you.

Throughout time, gold has been one of the most valued and precious of metals.

We think that we have pressure to give “just the right gift” for Christmas. Can you imagine the thought that must have gone into the selection of what to give to Jesus? If you are giving a gift to the Son of an infinite God, it better be something of immense value and eternal purpose. I believe that these gifts were inspired by God himself.

As Christmas nears, let’s take a closer look at the uses and meanings of the three gifts — starting with gold.

Gold: Precious and Practical
Throughout time, gold has been one of the most valued and precious of metals. In almost every civilization throughout history and the world, through the rise and fall of kingdoms, rulers and financial markets, gold has held value.

Gold was the perfect gift to give to Jesus for several reasons. Though it is a metal, because the value of gold is so high, small quantities are easily portable and still hold worth. Not only was gold portable, but it was easily used as tender. Gold could be traded for supplies, local currency and as payment for services. Gold was also universal. No matter where the family would travel, gold would be accepted in markets.

The wise men would not have known the specific climate to which the Son of God would be born. They may have thought they were traveling to the home of a king or a noble man. They did not know that this baby would be born to a family with no position and little money. They weren’t aware this gold could be used to help the family’s flight from Herod’s massacre or finance their return. They couldn’t have predicted how practically God was meeting the needs of His Son’s new family. When we give a gift to Jesus, God will always use it to meet a need.

Gold was not just a practical gift, but a symbolic one. It was the gift to give a king. The wise men recognized the divine destiny on Jesus’ life. By giving the gift of gold, they were identifying His kingship over their lives. Even though they were foreigners, they understood that Jesus’ kingship would extend far beyond the borders of the land of Israel. They recognized that Jesus was a King for all mankind.

When it comes to gift-giving, they say it is the thought that counts. I marvel at the thought that went into the gift of gold. Both practical and symbolic, it was a fitting gift for the Son of God and the King of kings.

Follow along with us in this series as we look next at frankincense and myrrh.

This article originally appeared on the Vital Magazine website and has been adapted with permission.