Frankincense
Frankincense is an aromatic wood resin obtained from Boswellia tree. Frankincense is one of the oldest incense used in religious ceremonies. It is smoked during prayer. The fragrance of frankincense is strongly associated in our minds with church, and therefore creates a wonderful peaceful atmosphere in our home for heartfelt and meaningful prayer.
This incense smoking symbolizes prayer rising to heaven, and the smell symbolizes the filling of our hearts with God's grace due to the great love for our Lord. That is why frankincense was one of the three precious Gifts presented by the Magi to the Baby Jesus.
The process of making frankincense was given to Moses by the Lord Himself:
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices — gum resin, onycha and galbanum — and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred. Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you. Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy to the Lord. Whoever makes incense like it to enjoy its fragrance must be cut off from their people.” (Exodus 30:34-38)
