"Gifts of the Magi" by Ralph Johnson, composer, and Laurie Richardson Johnson, poet

Magnum Chorum, conducted by Artistic Director Dwight Jilek, in a performance of "Gifts of the Magi" recorded at Westwood Lutheran Church, St. Louis Park, Minnesota on December 22, 2024.

Gifts of the Magi
Text © 2024 by Laurie Richardson Johnson
Music © 2024 by Ralph M. Johnson

1. Tree of Frankincense
How long have you
gripped the desert ground,
twisting your branches
into the blue heated sky?
Your ancient bark,
pierced,
tears of fragrance
freely shed
into droplets
of healing,
for anointing.
Priceless treasure
carried on camels and ships
to lands
far from home.
Did you know
your crystal perfume,
gift of the Magi,
followed a star like no other?
Not to palace or castle or temple,
but to a lonely rough stable,
to a baby born in straw.

2. Treasure of Myrrh
What does a mother
do with such a gift
for her child?
Amber jewels of healing,
of soothing restoration
once flowing from
thorny trunk of
wounded tree,
springing forth
from dry earth.
Precious myrrh.
Cherished myrrh.
Keep it, Mary.
Keep it.

3. Song of Gold
Capture not the golden light
in rock, or box, or jar.
Sing among the planet’s flight
a song beneath the star.
Nights of travel, darkness near,
we hear a tune unknown,
Closely follow, banish fear,
the way the star has shown.

Gold of shadow, gold of worth
Gold of fire, luminous, bright,
Gold of spirit, gold of birth,
Stir our hearts this wondrous night.

Child of hunger, child of cold,
the lost, alone, they chase.
Scattered light, our arms to hold,
our hearts with mercies race.
Time of courage; all belong,
the Child Divine is here,
Every breath a gift of song,
to sing with voices clear.

Gold of shadow, gold of worth
Gold of fire, luminous, bright,
Gold of spirit, gold of birth,
Love is born this wondrous night.

Hear the whispers, heed the dream,
the sky, the lamp, the way,
Spirit telling, stories beam,
a child in danger lay.
Hidden treasure, love for all,
enfolding lost and found,
Boundaries lifted, blinders fall,
to live with hearts unbound.

Gold of shadow, gold of worth
Gold of fire, luminous, bright,
Gold of spirit, gold of birth,
Shine in us, this wondrous night.