The Gifts

“Where is He that is born King of the Jews?  For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him"… “They opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:2, 11). 

Do  you remember a Christmas celebration with young children?   Are the toys and gifts still in one piece?  Or scattered?  I remember a take-off on “T’was the Night before Christmas’ that had a line: “ The presents are scattered and broken I fear, and St Nicholas won’t come again for a year!” 

Praise God! His Gifts to us are forever – if we choose to open \accept the gift of His love through His Son Jesus. We often think of God’s Gift as Jesus – but His gifts include much more.  In her book Christmas is Always, Dale Evans Rogers wrote of the gifts and miracles of healing, redeeming, teaching, sacrifice of His life, resurrection and anticipation of His coming again.

But she really emphasized the gift of relationship, especially related to blessing the children.   Christmas is a special time for children and all of us who are young at heart!

The Bible contains all kinds of true adventure stories:  stories of daring feats, love, obedience, excitement and mystery.  I am always amazed when I read a passage over and over and yet something new seems to leap off the page. The passages we read during the Christmas season are like that.  In one year we may hear the same passage many times, but each time it is fresh and alive, mysterious and fascinating.

Christmas Scriptures are mysterious in many ways: decree at the right time, travel for this family, and birth in a smelly cave for animals; and the story of the Magi.  Who were they really?  Where did they come from?  Did they travel together all the way?  Or did they see the star separately and through some mysterious way join forces? How many were there?  Did they bring just three gifts?  How long did the journey take?  Did the star appear before the birth and they arrived soon after, or did the star appear at the birth and they arrived close to two years later?

Many Christmas stories have been written to fill in these questions.  I'm glad it's not important for us to know.   The important thing is for us to center our thoughts on what we DO know….”For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son that WHOSOEVER…..”   God provided a way for everyone - from the lowly shepherds who were Jews, to the kingly Magi who were Gentiles, . Christ the Anointed One is for everyone one!

We know for fact that these ‘Wisemen from the East’, astrologers, magi, or kings,(the song not Scripture says three!) or whoever they were, saw something special in the heavens, were expectant, and were willing to take a risk, because they felt it was from God.  Maybe Daniel has shared the prophecy from Numbers “…A Star will come out of Jacob; a septer will rise out of Israel” (24:17).  

Verse 3 of Silent Night concludes:

                Silent night, holy night

                Wondrous star, lend thy light

                With the angels let us sing

Alleluia to our King; Christ the Savior is born!

The journey cost them time and finances.  They came prepared with gifts to worship the new king.  How many others missed out because they were not will to take a risk and see what God would do?  We know the religious leaders of Jerusalem did not check it out.  How about you?  God is pro–active and wanting to do something special in your life.  It might be risky, it might even cost you something - time, ridicule, change.   Are you willing to make him King of your life?

               

The Song, ‘We Three Kings’ has wonderful words and tells the importance of each of their gifts.  The last stanza is also important as we continue to anticipate His return:

                Glorious now behold Him arise

                King and God and sacrifice;

Alleluia, Alleluia sounds through the earth and Skies.

Our volunteering at the Voice of the Martyrs has taught us much about those who suffer \ die for speaking the Name of Jesus, and those who support and encourage them.  Most of those who are suffering do not pray to be removed from the situation, but rather that their testimony be so strong that their persecutors will seek to follow Jesus.  In the Bible schools supported by VOM one of the classes is ‘Prison Ministry 101’; not how to get out of going to prison, but rather how to teach and share while you are in prison. (the question is not if, but  ‘when you are arrested’)

SOOO, young friends, in this  message to you remember Christmas is Always – it is a state of our heart Share the good News of the Gospel all year long.  The Magi came to worship the King!  We belong to the King of kings and the victorious Lord of Glory who want His JOY complete in us (John 15).  He says to the whole world, all races, color and creeds:  “Live\abide in me and my words abide/ remain in you… remain in my love… I have told you this that my JOY might be in you and that your JOY may be complete. Love one another as I have loved you.” John 15: 7-13.

Blessings,

Gma