In the Christian Nativity story, the Magi brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, symbolising Christ's kingship, divinity, and death.

 

The original gifts – now preserved on Mt. Athos – take the form of gold filigree pendants and beads of blended frankincense and myrrh, identical to North African bridal necklaces of scented paste called skhab, with flat gold filigree lockets known as meskiyah.

 

Skhab beads are formed from resins and spices such as cloves, roses, frankincense, and myrrh, blended for a bride before her wedding. The powerful fragrance is considered to be generally healing and protective, while the specific blend of frankincense and myrrh relieves pain in childbirth, reduces bleeding, and prevents post-partum depression.

 

Based on this and other evidence, in this presentation I suggest that the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were actually meant for the new mother, Mary. I will also consider the theory that the Magi were not only three, and were not only men, but may have included women healers and midwives among their number.

 

The presentation aims to present my hypotheses together with artistic, iconographic, and symbolic supporting evidence, and to shed light on indigenous value systems honouring mothers and childbirth. Above all, I hope to offer grounds for (re)placing the Holy Mother at the heart of the Nativity, deepening our understanding and offering renewed inspiration for contemporary worship.

 

 

The Scholar Salon for ASWM members takes the form of an illustrated Zoom presentation, followed by discussion. Total time one hour. 

 

Information and booking: https://womenandmyth.org/

ASWM membership: https://womenandmyth.org/plans/join-renew/

 

Further reading: https://feminismandreligion.com/2025/05/03/the-gifts-of-the-magi-were-meant-for-the-mother/