Gold, frankincense and myrrh
Gift giving goes back to Roman days when the emperor demanded material adoration from his administration during the Winter Solace. At first, the trinkets were evergreen branches. Later, they morphed into more desirable items like honey and cakes to represent a new year filled with sweetness and prosperity. Christian church leaders tried to outlaw the custom, which spread faster than melting butter, but it wouldn't take. We love our presents. And so, the church found justification. The Magi's act of bearing gifts to the baby Jesus, and the idea that Christ himself was God's gift to the world, made it all good.
Another Pagan ritual adopted by the Christians.
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