Our Christmas Journey Conclusion

Part 4  The Gifts of the Wise Men

Christmas is over in our house….the tree is away, the decorations taken down.  I’m sure the celebration of Jesus’s birth went on for a few days longer than ours, with the shepherds sharing the word of Jesus’ arrival all around town.  I’m sure many came to visit, if not just to catch a glimpse of the possibility of a Savior.  And like most parents, after a while I’m sure Mary and Joseph became annoyed with all of the attention and just wanted to get back to a normal life.

But not so fast……God had placed a star in the sky….a star that brought more visitors…this time visitors from the far east.

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.’  After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was.  When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.  After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him.  Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11

What courage these 3 wise men must have possessed to follow a star for no telling how long, just to find this so-called “King of the Jews.”  They were stopped and questioned by King Herod, but didn’t let that get in the way of their mission….to find this child….to present their gifts…to worship Him.

I recently learned the significance of their gifts……Gold represented royalty….that gift is pretty self-explanatory considering who they were going to see.  Frankincense was a symbol of Jesus’s divinity.  It was used in the Old Testament in ceremonial sacrifice to God.  Myrrh was used in the burial process.  The body was often wrapped in cloth soaked in aloe and myrrh….a perfume or sorts.

So these wise men from afar…..followed a star….and presented gifts to Jesus that represented royalty, divinity, and death.  I’m sure these wise men knew what they were bringing….but I’m not sure they knew why.  They had no idea that Jesus would be crucified, buried, and would rise three days later……these three men knew what had been said about Him, but they couldn’t possibly have known who Jesus was going to become.

As the Christmas season comes to an end and the new year begins, let’s not forget what we have celebrated for the past month.  Let us continue using our generous hearts to help others….to make a difference in the life of someone who may need that helping hand.

The wise men threw the ultimate baby shower for the ultimate baby…..and not only that, but for a baby they didn’t even know.  He wasn’t their family…..He wasn’t even their neighbor or live in the same town as they did.  But they took the time to show Him how important that they thought He was.  And not only that, but I’m sure Mary and Joseph were pretty pumped up and feeling good knowing that there were others out there who knew how special that their son was.

So looking to the New Year and beyond, I have asked for God to open my heart, to get me out of wanting “stuff” and instead wanting to help others.  I have grown to realize that collecting things that end up in a closet or garage mean nothing and we can’t take them with us when we die anyways.  But we can have an impact of the lives of others who do need things…..not just to fill up a house….but to survive.

So I pray that we can all find it in our hearts in the new beginning to open up our hearts and allow God to use us in ways that will provide for others….to make a difference in someone else’s life….not for our own glory and recognition….and not so we feel good….but so God’s light can shine, and God can receive the glory…..and maybe by our efforts we can help someone form their own new relationship with God.  Because in the end….that’s what is important.