One of the very few Christmas-ish stories I have written:

One of the Magi Explains about the Myrrh

https://markarayner.com/a-magi-explains-myrrh/

Happy Christmas all!

#Magi #Christmas #Christmas2025 #myrrh #humor #humour #flashfiction #shortfiction

If I were a wise man

Today I was a wise man. A wise man in a living nativity. Part dress-up; part improv – talking to people as they pass through, teaching them about the three gifts (gold, frankincense, and myrrh), where the two non-obvious ones come from, and what they mean.

It was a lot of fun. I am glad I was roped into it now.

#3Kings #frankincense #gold #myrrh #nativity #wiseMen #xmas

Proverbs 7

This chapter is about warnings against the adultress. You know, those sneaky, sneaky ladies that seduce you with their fancy words, looks, body, etc. This chapter isn’t a dig on women on mass. It’s literally about women who are users & do what they want when they want & don’t care about the consequences. It’s the “what to look out for” chapter. And we all could learn from this chapter. Guys, what to look out for. Ladies, what NOT to do. Please enjoy this chapter.

“My husband isn’t at home, he’s gone on a long journey.”

Proverbs 7:19

My son, keep my words & store up my commands within you. Keep my commands & you’ll live. Guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers. Write them on the tablet of your heart.

Say to wisdom, “You’re my sister.” Call understanding your kinsmen/family. They’ll keep you from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words. At the window of my house, I looked through the lattice.

I saw among them the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment. He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.

Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute & with crafty intent. She’s loud & defiant. Her feet never stay at home. Now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.

She took hold of him & kissed him & with a brazen face, she said: “I’ve fellowship/peace offerings at home. Today, I fulfilled my vows. So I came out to meet you, I looked for you & have found you! I’ve covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt.”

“I’ve perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, & cinnamon. Come, let’s drink deep of love till morning. My husband isn’t at home; he’s gone on a long journey. He took his [coin] purse filled with money & will not be back till the full moon.”

With persuasive words she led him astray. She seduced him with her smooth talk. All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose till an arrow darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.

Now then, my sons, listen to me. Pay attention to what I say. Don’t let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. Many are the victims she has brought down.

Her slain is a mighty number. Her house is a highway to the Sheol, leading down to the chambers of death.

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#Adultery #Cinnamon #Myrrh #Prostitute #Proverbs7 #Sheol

Show your gratitude with our Mabon Herb Set! This curated collection is filled with herbs that resonate with the energy of fall, the harvest, and Mabon. They make excellent offerings, incense, bath teas, or your own handmade soaps or candles.

https://www.inkedgoddesscreations.com/products/mabon-herb-set
#Mabon #HerbMagick #Plantain #Myrrh #Apple #WoodBetony #Cinnamon #WhiteOak #Incense #Magick

Invoke the ancient power of the gods with our exclusive Egyptian Magick Mist. A timeless blend of honey, myrrh, and cinnamon oils in distilled water, our skin-safe Mist can help you tap into and work with the expansive ancient Egyptian pantheon.

https://www.inkedgoddesscreations.com/products/egyptian-magick-mist-1
#EgyptianMagick #Egypt #Honey #Myrrh #Cinnamon #Ancient #Wisdom #Goddess #God #Magick

Quote of the day, 5 January: Jessica Powers

There is a star above this street for me.

Hither I came of old,

bearing my myrrh and frankincense and gold.
Hunger and loneliness and poverty

I brought for their delight

once in my youth upon a snowy night.
I did not follow to the inmost place

where the Child lay asleep.

It was too splendid; the light dripped too deep.
I saw the tears upon the Virgin’s face.

I gave my gifts to her,

and the night ended in a golden blur.

Sister Miriam of the Holy Spirit, o.c.d. (Jessica Powers)

Michigan Boulevard, Chicago (1932)

Powers, J 1999, The Selected Poetry of Jessica Powers, Siegfried, R & Morneau, RF (eds.), ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: Adoration of the Magi is an oil on canvas painting by Spanish master Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617–1682). Executed ca. 1655–1660, this monumental painting—nearly two meters or over six feet in height—is a treasure in the Toledo Museum of Art collection in Toledo, Ohio. Image credit: Toledo Museum of Art / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

#adoration #frankincense #gold #InfantJesus #JessicaPowers #Magi #myrrh #poetry #SrMiriamOfTheHolySpirit #VirginMary

These days, you’re probably most likely to come across it watching a film or a nativity play - but do you know what myrrh actually is? 🤔

Time to find out: Natural History Museum scientist Jovita Yesilyurt reveals all on myrrh & its uses in today’s #SurprisingScience 🌿🌟 @NHM_London #Christmas #myrrh

Mysterious fruit found to be the oldest known fossils of the Frankincense and Myrrh family
https://phys.org/news/2023-12-mysterious-fruit-oldest-fossils-frankincense.html

#Fossils
#Paleontology
#India
#Fruit
#Frankincense
#Myrrh
#Enigmocarpon
#CT
#Pyrenes
#Seeds
#Paleobotany
#Extinction
#Burseraceae
#Africa
#Madagascar
#Cretaceous