Saturday, December 20, 2008

I'm Dreaming Of A Wide Christmas

A Frank Incense Interpretation Of An Ancient Tale

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


Today I thought I’d try and find three unusual, out-of-the-ordinary objects to depict the gold, frankincense and myrrh that were presented to the infant Jesus by the three wise men.

The first shot (above) is a decorative, gold-painted flange on the ticket booth of an open-air carousel in Southbank, Melbourne, but the other two were always going to be harder to track down.

This small hand-crafted container (below) was given to us by a very close friend some years ago. I thought it would easily represent something in which the Magi might have presented frankincense after carrying it on their long journey.


Finally, I mulled over several options for myrrh before settling on this final set of trinkets (below) that are so distinctive because of the multi-coloured stones that give it such an ancient appearance.

And this would be the most suitable place to confess that I must have had a wacky sense of humour even when I was in primary school. I still vividly remember a Christmas card that was sent to me specifically, instead of being addressed to the whole family as usual.

It showed the three wise men bowing reverently in front of the crib. Two wise men are looking in horror at their companion and shaking their heads, saying, "No, no, we said frankincense".

The third wise man has a rope tethered to Frankenstein.


Visit TNChick, creator of
Photo Hunt. Today's theme: "Wide".

29 comments:

i beati said...

I love them all !!Sandy

Celebration of Life said...

Beautiful pictures and post, as always, David!

Cheffie-Mom said...

Oh, WOW! These are absolutely beautiful!

Jenners said...

Visiting from Photo Story Friday...

This was a really neat approach..I enjoyed it and the photos are so crisp and clear and beautiful to look at.

Maggie May said...

I love all of them. Very good choices.

Craver Vii said...

David, we can always count on you for good humor and myrrhth around the holidays.

Les Becker said...

I love the shots and the story along with it. Thanks, David!

The Good Life in Virginia said...

what a nice post and idea...loved the shots...
have a happy holiday.

Hccm said...

They are so beautiful and I love to hear the story of the three wisemen.

Anonymous said...

Loved it, loved it & loved it! Such a creative post. I've got so much to learn from you! Thank you for hunting & photographing all these things for us!

San said...

All three are fit for a King. The bejeweled compartments remind of something similar I saw in a shop here. They were billed as 'reliquaries.'

Frankenstein?

squawmama said...

Very nice David.... Beautiful photos...

(((HUGS)))
Donna

Barbara Martin said...

Wonderful photos and story. Perfect for the season.

Anonymous said...

Much more creative than mine..Wonderful job for the theme 'wide' Happy weekend David...

Anonymous said...

Your photography is amazing; your things are beautiful and perfect for your post. You have a very good eye for capturing things.
I loved this post, thanks David!

Daisy said...

Really lovely David - and I always thought it was Frankenstein too- brilliant!

Lee said...

Wonderful approach to the subject, David. I like all three pictures but the last two are my favorites. The middle one had me remembering the lyrics to "This is My Box" from Amahl and the Night Visitors. Do you remember all the wonderful things the Wise Man kept in his box?

Cheers! & Happy Holidays!

Pat - Arkansas said...

Although you took a bit of liberty with "wide," you did very well with gold, frankincense and myrrh; those are lovely photos. I had a wonderful excursion on Google looking up the background of frankincense. Very interesting.

YTSL said...

Most definitely a very original take on this week's Photo Hunt theme! :)

Sandi McBride said...

I'm sure the infant Jesus would be delighted with your gifts...come, they told me...
Sandi

alicesg said...

Oooom, I love these treasure boxes. Very beautiful indeed.

jams o donnell said...

I always know you are going to have great shots for Photohunt. Happy weekend and a very happy Christmas

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed your post a lot...very beautiful...

Jo Beaufoix said...

Heh heh. That would have been interesting. :D

Hilary said...

Gorgeous photos.. what a great way to represent them. Loved the Frankenstein card idea. :)

May your days be myrrhry and bright..

Anonymous said...

Great post,.... about the 3 Wise men. Happy Holidays to you and yours.

RJ Flamingo said...

Love your "wide" interpretation of the theme, David! These photos, as usual, are just beautiful!

Between the holidays and commitments and work, I'm afraid I've gone a little dark and quirky this week...

http://flamingofotos.blogspot.com

Happy Holidays! (Not that it has anything to do with my PH post...)

RJ Flamingo said...

Love your "wide" interpretation of the theme, David! These photos, as usual, are just beautiful!

Between the holidays and commitments and work, I'm afraid I've gone a little dark and quirky this week...

http://flamingofotos.blogspot.com

Happy Holidays! (Not that it has anything to do with my PH post...)

jmb said...

Great post David.

I was actually given for Christmas, many years ago, a gold coloured box with pieces of frankincense and myrrh inside. I still have it although the wonderful smells have gone from the resins now.

Have wonderful Christmas.