Gifts of the Magi: Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh [Hardcover]

The (NY) Metropolitan Museum of Art (Author)

Book Description

Series: Gifts of the Magi | Publication Date: November 1, 1998

A wonderful Christmastime keepsake that explores the first Christmas gifts. This book tells the story of the Magi & their journey & explains the symbolism & the significance of their gifts.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City needs no introduction. It is the preeminent art museum in the Americas and rivaled by few European museums. In fact, for sheer quality and breadth of collection, it has no equal.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Bulfinch; Min edition (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821225618
• ISBN-13: 978-0821225615
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 1.4 x 6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #985,177 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating collection of art and lore about the Magi., September 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Gifts of the Magi: Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh (Hardcover)

The perfect accompaniment to celebrations of Epiphany! This exquisite little book, illustrated with masterpieces from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Medieval and Renaissance collections, tells the history and lore of the Magi and the precious gifts they brought to the infant Jesus. The beautiful samples of real gold, frankincense, and myrrh are treasures your children might add to the family creche with appropriate ceremony.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent, short story, packed with factual information., October 28, 1998

By 

A. D. True (Georgia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gifts of the Magi: Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh (Hardcover)

I would highly recommend this book for anyone familiar with the story of the "three wise men" and the birth of Jesus. Although it is very short, it is packed full of facts, using the Bible and other history information for support. The book also touches on some of the myths and legends behind the story and gives their resources as well. What I believe to be the main theme of the book, and, quite possibly, the most important, is at the end of the book when the author tells us exactly what the three gifts represent. In a nutshell, Gold is for Kings, Frankincense is for a God, and Myrrh is for man. Thus, the Holy Trinity!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect gift for the feast of the Epiphany! (Jan. 6th), December 31, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Gifts of the Magi: Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh (Hardcover)

This book comes with small samples of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh, which have a special blessing in the Catholic 'Rituale Romanum' for the feast of the Epiphany, the feast of the arrival of the three Magi (Caspar, Melchior, and Baltassar) at Christ's crib. This boxed set is perfect for the blessing of the three gifts, which can be combined with the special Epiphany blessing of houses, since the priest can use the Frankincense for incense during the house blessing. Part of the blessing states "From the East the Magi came to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their teasures, they offered costly gifts: gold to the great King, incense to the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial. Alleluia."
A perfect, usable gift that can be kept alongside the family Nativity scene for years to come.