Myrrh

Day 11 - Myrrh

Balthasar brought the gift of Myrrh.  

Myrrh is a sweet-smelling resin extracted from a shrubby desert tree, that hardens into fragrant pieces.  In ancient time, myrrh was used mainly for burials.  Myrrh was put on the cloth used to wrap bodies to help prevent the smell of decay following death.  

The taste of myrrh is bitter.  In Mark 15:23, Jesus is offered wine mixed with myrrh at the time of his crucifixion.  Did myrrh symbolize the future bitter cup of Jesus' suffering and mortal death? 

Balthasar holds the gift of myrrh.