^{Luke 23:52} This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.

⁵³ And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.

⁵⁴ And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

⁵⁵ And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.

⁵⁶ And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

Strange verses to list in regard to the Christmas gifts. Probably so, but Myrrh was a common spice used in preparing for a body for burial.  The last gift symbolized Jesus purpose in being born.  He would be the Lamb of God sacrificed for the Sins of Man.  Jesus was born to die.

The Myrrh cost a significant amount and was a present due a king just as gold and frankincense were.  These three gifts represented expensive items worthy of royalty, but they also symbolized who the baby would be.  Our king, our high priest and our sacrifice for sin.

Journal Exercise

My heart breaks for those women in the verses.  They followed Jesus their rabbi.  They gave their lives to his teachings.  He meant everything to them.  Then the religious leaders accused him and the government killed him.  They stayed at the foot of the cross as he cried out.  They saw the life drained from him.  And they followed behind to see where the body was placed.  It was too late to prepare the body properly before they were required to stop work for the Sabbath.

Write what you think it must have been like waiting together until you can go and properly prepare Jesus body.

As soon as it was permissable, the women rushed to where Jesus was laid.  But he was gone.

Luke 24 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

² And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

³ And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

⁴ And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

⁵ And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

⁶ He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

Now write how you would have felt as these men tell you Jesus is risen.