THE TRADITIONAL PICTURE OF CHRISTMAS As we gaze upon the traditional nativity scene - the holy family, Mary and Joseph with baby Jesus, the shepherds, three wise men, together with a collection of farm animals, something seems wrong or even mysterious. Theologically something's not quite right. The answer can be found when we read the Christmas story in Matthew 2 and learn of the wise men.The Gospel of Matthew is the only Gospel to mention the wise men. Matthew is helping us to make connections to the prophetic nature of Jesus' life, ministry, death and resurrection. Matthew continually shows us how Jesus fulfilled the ancient prophecies about the coming Messiah; revealing who Jesus truly is - Saviour of the world.The coming of the Wise Men was in itself, a fulfilment of a prophetic sign. It connected with something from the past, announced something about the present and predicting something about the future. The gifts that they gave of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh were significant. Gold for a King. Frankincense representing Jesus as our great High Priest, and Myrrh the burial ointment speaking about Jesus' death - how He would pay the ultimate price for mankind's sin, by taking the punishment of sin upon himself on the cross.