On to the final of the 3 gifts mentioned in Matthew 2:1-2 – Myrrh!
Gold = precious metal
Frankincense = perfume or incense
Myrrh = an oil, used for embalming
Today’s Activity: Myrrh – a preserving oil
What You’ll Need:
Oil (olive or vegetable), cucumbers, tomatoes (optional), onion (optional), oregano, basalamic or red wine vinegar
Read IT! Matthew 2:1-2 – Have your kid(s) repeat the three different gifts and see if they can remember what each one was (precious metal, perfume/incense, and essential oil)
Make IT! – Preserving Cucumbers
The point of this activity is to preserve something and to save it for later. Just as myrrh was used to embalm or preserve things.
- Take your cucumbers (peeled or not…it’s your prerogative) and cut into slices or quarters.
- Do the same with tomatoes and onions, if you desire them.
- Place cut-up in a mason jar or tupperware and sprinkle with dried or fresh oregano.
- Take the bottle of oil and let your child swirl it around — noticing the color and smell.
- Pour a generous amount of oil over the vegetables, then top it off with vinegar so that all the veggies are covered.
- Set the mix in the frig while it marinates.
**If you are pressed for time or think little attention spans might be short, you can pull out a jar of pickles and use it as your example.
Teach IT! – Preservation and Preparation
- Myrrh was an oil used to prepare and preserve items, such as a body.
- The gift of myrrh is an example of how when Christ was born He was 1) preparing for a life of ministry on Earth and would 2) be laid in the tomb after His death on the cross for us.
- It shows us that we can be looking forward to what Christ would do on Earth, but also prepared for His impact on our lives due to His death on the cross for our sins.
- When we put the vinegar and the oil together, it is also similar to the drink that Christ was given to drink when He was on the cross. The bitter smell and taste was preparing Christ for His death.
- Remind your kids that we have to leave our salad mixture in the fridge, so that it can preserve the cucumbers and prepare them for our upcoming lunch or dinner.
