Good Gifts

Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11 says, "Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 'Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We have seen his star as it arose, and we have come to worship him.'… Once again the star appeared to them, guiding them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where they child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house where the child and his mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before him and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh."

Many of us cannot even begin to count the number of times we’ve heard the story of a young pheasant girl carrying the promise of Salvation. A young man shocked by the conception of the child sent to save even him, and the shepherds and wise men who stood in awe of a promise fulfilled, a journey ended yet only begun and visitations uncommon in the quiet, dark, Judean skies. The details of the miraculous that could only have been ordained by a God, who sees the WHOLE picture, beginning to end, start to finish. I mean, a stable? A small insignificant town? Shepherds and sheep? Wise men with three specific gifts?

Lately I’ve been struck with the significance of the gold, frankincense and myrrh. What has also caused me to pause, was the act of worship these men demonstrated. They literally travelled for weeks in search of a promise told years ago. Their gifts? What was the significance of them?

Gold has always been a commodity of value and wealth.

Frankincense was added to the sacrificial fires. As it was consumed it would fill the air with a sweet aroma.

Myrrh was added to burial cloth to prepare a body for burial.

The Magi presented not only gifts but also themselves in worship. As costly and valuable as these gifts were, their value increased when they were given to Jesus.

If we look at the gifts again, the spiritual importance of them makes their value more significant.

Gold – part of worship is giving our material blessings to the church or to others in the name of Jesus.

Frankincense – this can be compared to the time we spend serving God. Although it may appear lost and wasted, consumed it becomes sweet to the one we worship.

Myrrh – it causes us to reflect on the ultimate purpose for which Jesus came; to give His life for us.

Wow! What a testimony to the all knowing power and incredible provision of our King. The Magi gave gifts to the King that were not necessarily to be used for that specific time or place, however, the gifts were significant in their worship of the King and who He was. What about OUR gifts? Each of us has incredible gifts. Are we laying them before the King in our Worship? Do we wonder about the things we are gifted in how God could possibly use US? Or do we go through life FULL of gifts waiting to be used but feel we aren’t using ANY of them? And if we are using our gifts, are we using the gifts in order to bring Glory to Him? Each of us posses’ great, imaginative, creative gifts put within us by a great, imaginative, creative Creator, just for us to fulfill a specific purpose and destiny that HE has called us to... On top of all of those gifts He’s given to specific people for specific purposes, what about the gifts given to ALL men, the FREE gifts that he has lavished on us:

Ephesians 2:8 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith and this is not of yourselves it is the gift of God not by works that any man should boast."

James 1:7 says, "Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father above."

Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through

Christ Jesus our Lord."

There are so many awe inspiring gifts given to us! Have you ever made a list of all of YOUR gifts? A list describing the things you are good at? Gifted in? Or has your list become a comparison to the artist down the street, the latest recording star, or the woman who knits a better scarf than you? So often the enemy distracts and discourages us with comparison. We need to be reminded of our own gifts, encourage those around us to do the same and continue to be awakened to the creative imagination that lies within us and use those gifts as the Magi did – in complete worship to the King of Kings!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Tara W.