Gifts of the Earth

 

I am very excited to have you here today for this class, because you are here to teach me.  The process of preparing for this gathering has been so good for me.  I've had to relearn what I had forgotten and discover new perspectives within the scriptures.  I found essential oils from plants were ancient remedies and protections that are still in use today and readily available through the internet.  I've had a very powerful experience with frankincense reversing some of the neurological problems I developed after chemo and struggled with for over 5 ½ years.  So I've delved into whatever new and ancient information I could discover and want to open these doors as we  look to the scriptures.

 

Let's start with the most recognized gifts of the Magi:  Frankincense and Myrrh.

What is Frankincense and why was it so valuable?

 

Frankincense is mentioned 22 times in scripture in both the Old and New Testaments.  It is one of the components of the anointing oil God gave to Moses.

 

But what is it?

 

Frankincense is the sap of relatively small tree.  It is more like a shrub that grows to about 9 feet in height.  Bears little white flowers and grows in the Oman region of the Mediterranean.

 

Show Book Boswellia

 

Fields of these trees have been tended by families for generations.  Exports of Frankincense once amounted to about 300,000 tons.  Now only about 3000 tons are harvested and exported.

 

Careful cuts are made into the bark of the tree causing it to ooze its life blood to seal the wound and allow the tree to continue to live.  This sap dries on the surface of the bark and then is harvested by those in charge.

 

There's a cute little shop called Savoy Spice in the Lumber Yard that sells Frankincense just as its harvested. (pass around)

 

To derive the benefits of Frankincense an ointment or infusion can be made.  Anciently it was dissolved in wine, or tucked inside the cheek.  It could also be dissolved in the fat of a hippopotamus.  The ancient Egyptians used this on top of their heads for protection!

 

Today, Frankincense can be purchased as an essential oil derived through steam distillation. (pass around doTerra) and though still expensive, this is what I use.

 

 

What's it good for?  Why give it to the Son of God at His birth?  Why record it in scripture?  Weren't many gifts brought to the Christ Child?  Why these few things recorded to be remembered?

 

Let's start at the beginning with John 1:

 

1 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made.

 

So the spoken word created all things.  Therefore, the word of God is within each plant.  And this plants life and vibrations come from the life and vibration of God's word.

 

See where I'm going with this?  These spices and oils derived from plants contain specific vibrations and connect with the life force vibrations within your life and body.

 

God knew there would be health challenges in this life.  When He created the Garden of Eden He created plants for healing and he taught Adam and Eve these things and they passed them on to their generations even after they were cast out.

 

Ezekiel 47:12  And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that shall grow all trees for meat….and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.

 

So Mary, mother of Jesus, was going to need this Frankincense to heal her child and help him grow.  There were no vaccines, antibiotics, aspirin known two millennium ago, but there was a wisdom passed down from mother to son, and there where "physicians" of the day that specialized in the healing arts using prayer and plants.

 

The older versions of the King James Bible included 15 books of the Apocrypha.  This is the bridge between the Old Testament and the New.  I want to share with you this incredible family Bible given to my great grandfather and mother on the occasion of their wedding in 1874.  It has the famous Dore Illustrations and the 15 books of the Apocrypha.  One of these books, Sirach, was written between 195 BC and 171 BC and pays homage to the physician.  Will someone read:

 

"Honor the physician with the honor due him according to your need of him, for the Lord created him; for healing comes from the Most High… the Lord created medicines from the earth, and a sensible man will not despise them… God gave skill to men that he might be glorified in his marvelous works.  By them he heals and takes away pain…. My son, when you are sick do not be negligent, but pray to the Lord, and he will heal you.  Give up your faults and direct your hands aright, and cleanse you heart from all sin… There is a time when success lies in the hands of physicians, for they too will pray to the Lord that he should grant them success in diagnosis and in healing, for the sake of preserving life (Sirach 38:1-14)