Rosaries inspired by the
Gifts of the Magi

Matthew 2:11  And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Our Gifts of the Magi collection will return in December.
Below are examples of previous designs.
Write us to inquire about a custom design!

Handmade lampwork beads are paired with Swarovski crystals in this elegant rosary.  A swirl of aventurine floats over ruby glass in the vermeil-capped Paters.  The 8mm Aves are vintage Swarovski crystals in Madeira topaz --- a luscious color!  Siam and topaz bicones echo the Pater beads luscious hues.

The rosary is joined with an exquisitely detailed bronze centerpiece, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. A substantial, 3" bronze crucifix completes the rosary.

The colors of this jubilant rosary popped out of the Carlo Dolci painting!

Vintage glass, in 9mm red opaque octagonals with granite picasso caps, is paired with vivid vermeil-capped lampwork swirling with ribbons of vermillion, cobalt, granite, and jet. The rosary is joined with a bronze centerpiece detailing the history of the Miraculous Medal.  A stunning, 3" bronze crucifix, attended by angels, completes the rosary.

Suitable for rugged hands and/or a joyous spirit!

Gallery 2004

Frankincense and Myrrh

Precious Gems

Starry, Starry Night

Why Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh?

(I) Gold is the gift for a king. Seneca tells us that in Parthia it was the custom that no one could ever approach the king without a gift. And gold, the king of metals, is the fit gift for a king of men. So then Jesus was " the Man born to be King." But He was to reign, not by force, but by love; and He was to rule over men's hearts, not from a throne, but from a Cross. We do well to remember that Jesus Christ is King.

(II) Frankincense is the gift for a Priest. It was in the Temple worship and at the Temple sacrifices that the sweet perfume of frankincense was used. The function of a priest is to open the way to God for men. The Latin word for priest is pontifex, which means a bridge-builder. The priest is the man who builds a bridge between men and God. That is what Jesus did. He opened the way to the presence of God; He made it possible for men to enter into the very presence of God.

(III) Myrrh is the gift for one who is to die Myrrh was used to embalm the bodies of the dead. Jesus came into the world to die. Holman Hunt has a famous picture of Jesus. It shows Jesus at the door of the carpenter's shop in Nazareth. The setting sun is shining in at the door, and Jesus has come to the door to stretch His limbs which had grown cramped over the bench. He stands there in the doorway with his arm outstretched, and behind Him, on the wall, the setting sun throws His shadow, and it is the shadow of a cross. Jesus came into the world to live for men, and, in the end, to die for men. He came to give for men His life and His death.

Gold for a king, frankincense for a priest, myrrh for one who was to die-these were the gifts of the wise men, and, even at the cradle of Christ, they foretold that He was to be the true King, the perfect High Priest, and in the end the supreme Saviour of men.

from Who Were the Magi?

From the Library of Homilies from Father Chris

The magi of the Gospel come from all the ends of the earth to bring their gifts to the Christ-child.  They fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah.  They know that this newborn king will bless them.

For many cultures, [January 6th] is the traditional day of gift giving.  As the magi gave their gifts, so too do we give gifts to one another. However, It would seem that their gifts make no sense.  They gave gifts that were not practical for a newborn baby.  What does a child do with gold, frankincense and myrrh?  Recently I received an email that suggested that if the magi had been women they would have brought diapers, baby clothes, and formula.  They would have cooked a meal and cleaned up the stable.  That seems a whole lot more practical.  Yet, when we look at the gifts of the magi, maybe they aren’t so unusual after all.

The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh are symbolic.  Gold is the symbol of one’s possessions.  It represents everything that we own or make.  Frankincense is offering.  It’s smoke.  So, it’s like the spirit that we can’t capture.  It’s the offering of our minds and our prayer.  Myrrh is used to anoint a body for death.  It represents our life.  Everything that we can do or experience in the body is given to the Christ-child.

The magi gave theirs gifts to the child as symbols of the offering of their lives. In the spirit of giving to one another as God’s children, maybe we should make our gift to Him and to one another continuous throughout the year.  God’s gift of love does not last for only a few moments in a day at a particular time of year.  His love is with us always.  This year let us consider offering gifts as the magi did.  Our gifts to each other can take on a different meaning.  To God we offer our lives, our time, our talent, and our treasure.  We do this in ministry, in service to the poor, and in proclaiming justice.  Gifts that we give to one another can include love, charity, patience, kindness and honesty.  These are truly priceless gifts that will bring joy and warmth to all that receive them in the course of this New Year.

Our giving of gifts should not just be reserved for certain days of celebration during the year, but in the giving of ourselves to one another throughout the year.  As each of us are a gift from God, our Father, may we share that gift of God with each other not only today, but in every day of the celebration of our Christian lives.