St. Gregory the Great says, “the Magi returned to their homes by another way, to show us that if we wish to reach our true home in paradise we must forsake the path in which we have walked, and tread in the way of penance, obedience, and self denial.”

The three Wise Men would have never found Christ if they had not been led by the star of Bethlehem (Matt.2:9). The Magi offered the new born Child, Jesus, presents. Gold, the symbol of homage, is offered to Him as King; incense, the symbol of prayer, because He is God; and myrrh, the symbol of mortification, because as Our Redeemer, He was to suffer.