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24 THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2012 C H R I S T M A S C O N C E RT: A c t o n C i t i z e n Bandmaster Dr. George Elliott led musicians through holiday favourites at the Band's recent annual Christmas concert at Bethel Church. ­ Ted Tyler photo Gifts of the Three Kings Sweet Mollys wishes everyone a Very Merry Christmas & New Year, and look forward to seeing you in 2013 With presents and parties foremost on the minds of many, the religious significance of the holiday season can take a backseat to some of the secular celebrations. One of the religious celebrations of the season is Three Kings Day, also known as the Feast of the Epiphany and Dia de los Tres Reyes. Celebrated on January 6, the Epiphany marks the twelfth day of the Christmas holiday and remembers the three kings who came to bear gifts to the newborn baby Jesus. According to the Bible, three kings, or wise men, named Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar saw a bright star in the sky the night Christ was born. They followed this star to Bethlehem where they found the child. There they presented Christ with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. "And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh." (Matthew 2:11) Frankincense, also called olibanum, is a sap of the Boswellia. The tree is tapped, much as one would a maple tree for syrup, and the frankincense resin drips out in "tears." Frankincense was used for many reasons in ancient times, typically in religious ceremonies as an incense. The aroma of frankincense is said to represent life, and the Judaic, Christian, and Islamic faiths also used frankincense oils to anoint the young. It has also been used in alternative medicine as a stomach aid. Ancient Egyptians used charred frankincense to make kohl, or the eye makeup distinctive of that region. Myrrh is another tree resin and it comes from the Commiphora species. Myrrh was commonly used as a healing agent, especially an antiseptic. Ancient Greek soldiers carried it to treat and clean wounds earned in battle. Egyptians burned myrrh as part of rituals. It is also another substance burned during religious ceremonies. Myrrh was also used in the embalming process in ancient times. Historians and religious scholars say that the gifts given to Jesus by the three kings were quite appropriate. The gold represented his royalty, the frankincense his divinity and the myrrh his future death. PARTY GIRLS: Acton's Sydney Weaver (centre) got into the groove with staffers Logan Becker (left) and Rachel Inniss at the Town's sparsely-attended youth dance on Friday at the Acton arena/community centre. ­ Ted Tyler photo The Regional Municipality of Halton Access Halton at: www.halton.ca Dial 311 Access Halton For everything you need to know about programs and services in Halton Region. Halton.ca Dial 311 One click. One call. 201212 Please contact us, as soon as possible, if you have any accessibility needs at Halton Region events or meetings.