Please enjoy this series of Christmas Classics written by our Founder, Dr. Paul D. Lindstrom for his radio program “There’s No Place Like Home.
The Oil of Gladness
In Psalm 45:8, we read, “All thy garments smell of myrrh and aloes and cassia, out of the ivory palaces whereby they have made thee glad.” Psalm 45 is one of the Messianic psalms. It is quoted as such in Hebrews 1:8,0, which begins with one person in the godhead addressing the Messiah also as God, whose throne is eternal. Then, he says, “Oh, God, they God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above they fellows.”
The oil of gladness was the holy oil used for the anointing of priests and kings and was compounded of a mixture of spices which included myrrh and cassia (Exodus 30). Since the Messiah had been anointed to be above His fellows, first as high priest, then as King of Kings, all His garments would bear the sweet aroma of the holy ointment.
Anointed One
At the birth of Christ, His garments were swaddling clothes, and the gifts of the eastern wise men included a supply of myrrh and frankincense (Luke 2:7; Matthew 2:11). At His death, they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, and parted his garments (Mark 15). Then once again, His body was wrapped in linen clothes, and anointed with myrrh and aloes for His burial (John 19).
The Psalmist sees Christ, or Messiah, as both the Greek and Hebrew titles mean “The Anointed One,” emerging triumphantly from the ivory palaces.
__
Learn More About Us:
Christian Liberty Homeschools wishes you blessings for this Advent and Christmas season. During this time, Christians reflect on the prophecies concerning the coming Messiah and the hope these biblical messages instill in their faith.
We are available for you at: www.homeschools.org
We love to hear about our students’ Christmas traditions. Learning family traditions is so important to homeschooling.
Share your favorite tradition in the comments.