Their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh are laden with symbolic meaning, but the Gospels do not provide any details about what became of these valuable items after they were presented.
This omission has led to numerous speculations and theological reflections over the centuries.
In this article, we explore ten theories about what Mary and Joseph might have done with the gifts of the Magi, drawing on biblical, historical, and traditional sources.
1. Provision for the Flight to Egypt
One of the most widely accepted theories is that the gifts were used to finance the Holy Family's flight to Egypt.
Shortly after the Magi’s visit, Joseph was warned in a dream to take Mary and the child and flee to Egypt, as King Herod sought to kill the newborn King of the Jews (Matthew 2:13-15). This journey, which would have covered a considerable distance, would undoubtedly have required significant resources.
Gold, being a universally accepted currency, would have been particularly useful in securing passage, food, and shelter during their time as refugees.
Frankincense and myrrh, both valuable commodities in the ancient world, could also have been sold or traded to meet the family’s needs during this period of exile.
2. Support for Daily Living Expenses
A closely related theory is that the gifts were used to support the Holy Family's daily living expenses during Jesus’s early years.
As a carpenter, Joseph would have had a modest income, sufficient for basic sustenance but not much more. The arrival of the Magi’s gifts might have provided the family with financial security, allowing them to live comfortably and focus on raising Jesus without the constant strain of economic hardship.
The gold could have been gradually used for household needs, while the frankincense and myrrh might have been utilized in trade or in religious practices within the home.
3. Offerings to the Temple
Another theory suggests that Mary and Joseph might have used the gifts to make offerings at the Temple in Jerusalem.
According to Jewish custom, offerings were made for the birth of a firstborn son, and these could vary in value depending on the family’s means.
The traditional offering for those of modest means was two doves or pigeons (Luke 2:22-24), but the gifts from the Magi could have allowed Mary and Joseph to present a more substantial offering.
Additionally, the Temple was the centre of Jewish religious life, and making a significant offering there would have been an act of piety and thanksgiving for the birth of Jesus.
4. Symbolic Dedication to God
In line with the idea of making offerings, some traditions hold that Mary and Joseph might have dedicated the gifts to God in a symbolic gesture.
The gold, frankincense, and myrrh each hold deep theological significance: gold symbolizes kingship, frankincense represents priesthood, and myrrh foreshadows death and embalming.
By offering these items to God, the Holy Family would have acknowledged and honoured the divine mission of Jesus.
This act of dedication could have taken place privately within the home or as part of a public offering at the Temple, signifying their trust in God's provision and their understanding of Jesus’s role in salvation history.
5. Preserved as Sacred Heirlooms
It is also possible that the gifts were preserved by Mary and Joseph and passed down to Jesus as sacred heirlooms.
These items, presented by wise men who recognised Jesus’s divinity, could have been kept as a reminder of the extraordinary circumstances of His birth.
As Jesus grew older, the gifts might have been shown to Him, serving as tangible symbols of His identity and mission.
The gold, frankincense, and myrrh could have been treasured family relics, used in moments of significant religious or familial importance, or simply kept as sacred objects within the household.
6. Funding Jesus’s Education
Although Jesus was divine, His human experience involved learning and growth, as described in Luke 2:52: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."
Some theologians propose that the gifts of the Magi might have been used to fund Jesus’s education.
The gold could have paid for materials, such as scrolls or tools, while the frankincense and myrrh might have been used in rituals of consecration or in creating a sacred space for study and prayer.
This theory underscores the importance of nurturing both the divine and human aspects of Jesus’s identity.
7. Shared with the Poor
Given the emphasis on charity and humility in the teachings of Jesus, it is conceivable that Mary and Joseph chose to share the gifts with the poor.
The Gospel of Luke recounts Jesus’s declaration in Nazareth: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor" (Luke 4:18).
This mission might have been reflected in the Holy Family’s own actions, distributing their newfound wealth to those in need.
Such an act would have been in keeping with the values of the early Christian community, which emphasised communal living and care for the less fortunate.
8. Reserved for Jesus’s Burial
The myrrh, in particular, has often been associated with burial practices.
Myrrh was a key ingredient in the embalming process, and its presentation to the infant Jesus is traditionally seen as a foreshadowing of His death and burial.
Some scholars and theologians suggest that Mary and Joseph might have preserved the myrrh for this very purpose.
When Jesus was crucified, Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes to anoint His body (John 19:39-40), and it is possible that the myrrh given by the Magi was reserved and used for this solemn occasion.
This theory highlights the prophetic nature of the gifts and their connection to Jesus’s ultimate sacrifice.
9. Stored in the Temple Treasury
An interesting but less commonly discussed theory is that the gifts were placed in the Temple treasury.
The Temple in Jerusalem was the centre of Jewish worship and housed various treasures and offerings. Mary and Joseph, recognising the sacred nature of the gifts, might have decided to dedicate them to the Temple, where they would be safeguarded and possibly used in the service of God.
The gold, frankincense, and myrrh could have been used in religious rituals, or the gold might have contributed to the maintenance of the Temple or charitable works supported by the Temple authorities.
10. Part of the Hidden Life of Jesus
Finally, the fate of the gifts might be part of what is known as the "hidden life" of Jesus. The Gospels provide only a few details about Jesus’s life between His infancy and the beginning of His public ministry.
During these years, often referred to as His hidden life, Jesus lived in Nazareth with Mary and Joseph, growing in wisdom and grace.
The gifts of the Magi might have been used in various ways during this period, in ways that are not recorded in Scripture but were known only to the Holy Family.
This theory embraces the mystery and sanctity of Jesus’s early years, acknowledging that not all aspects of His life were meant to be revealed to the world.
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The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh presented to the Christ child by the Magi are among the most evocative symbols in the Christian tradition.
While the Gospels do not specify what happened to these treasures, the various theories explored here provide rich material for reflection.
Whether they were used for practical purposes, dedicated to God, shared with the poor, or preserved for future significance, the gifts remind us of the profound mystery of the Incarnation.
The story of the Magi, with its themes of worship, prophecy, and divine providence, continues to inspire Christians today. It invites us to consider how we respond to the gifts we receive, whether material or spiritual, and how we can use them in service to God and others.
In the end, the true value of the gifts lies not in their material worth, but in what they represent: the recognition of Jesus as King, Priest, and Sacrifice, and the honour and reverence due to Him as the Saviour of the world.
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