"Come to Bethlehem and see"

As we approach the "holy" day, Christmas, it was fitting to post me in Bethlehem, the town where Christ was born.  Bethlehem is close to Jerusalem, but far from the home of Joseph, the carpenter and Mary, his espoused wife.

Gifts for the Christchild



Frankincense - Boswellia carterii



Myrrh - Commiphora kataf

Two of the precious gifts brought to the newborn Christ child were plant resins known as Frankincense and Myrrh.  They were prized among royalty for their fragrant qualities and several uses.  

Frankincense, a sweet-smelling gum extracted from tree bark, is a milky substance that drips, and is left to dry for several days. After separating the resin according to its quality, it was used for perfumes, medicines and incense. 



Myrrh is a highly aromatic gum resin from a low-growing, thorny plant.  The oily substance bleeds from the tree and quickly hardens.  It was used for perfumes and ointments.