The name the Bible uses for the wise men is 'magi'. But the wise men were not magicians, they were priests who came from Persia, the country which is now called Iran. As well as being priests, magi were also the 'big brains' of Persia. They were scientists, doctors, mathematicians, astronomers and advisers to their kings.

The gifts which they gave to Jesus were some of the things which they used in carrying out their duties. In Persia, one of their jobs may have been to look after the king's gold. The Magi also worked in the temples in Persia, where frankincense was burnt as an offering to their god. Myrrh is a tree sap and would have been used by the Magi in their job as doctors. Myrrh helps to soothe pain. They would also have used myrrh in another of their jobs - preparing dead bodies for a funeral service.

Many Christians believe that the gifts show what the Magi thought of Jesus. They gave him gold - a gift for a King, frankincense - a gift for God, and myrrh, a gift for a baby who would grow up to suffer and to die a painful death.