Several years ago, as I was preparing my Sunday School lesson and studying about the Wise Men and what they brought to Jesus, The Lord blessed me with a “new to me” truth. This truth so impacted my life that it will now forever be a part of my Christmas preparations.
I’m I’m sure we’ve all heard about the three gifts the Wise Men brought to Jesus and what they meant in Biblical times. I’ve seen many wonderful gift-giving ideas based upon these three gifts. In years past, we have given to others, to missions, to causes in Jesus’ Name for Christmas. But that year, when I was studying and praying through the Scriptures, The Lord gave me something new, precious, and challenging.
It was as if I could almost audibly hear His voice asking me “Will you bring Me the same gifts the Wise Men brought Me?”
Then in my heart, I understood what Jesus would most love to receive from me for Christmas. I have a feeling that He’d love this to be His birthday gifts from each one of us every year of our lives. I wonder if He’ll speak to you in the same way~
“When they saw the star, they were thrilled with ecstatic joy. And on going into the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshipped Him. Then opening their treasure bags, they presented to Him gifts – gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10-11 (Amp)
Gold – This was a standard gift to a king. It represented kingship and power.
Frankincense – This was a special insense used for worship.
Myrrh – This was used to embalm bodies when people died.
(Neither frankinsense nor myrrh were typical gifts to give a baby – even a baby king.)
As I prayed through these gifts, asking how I could give these specific riches from my own “treasure bag,” The Lord helped me understand this answer:
Gold – This would be my submission to God/Jesus as my KING. It would be my pledge and willful gift of obedience as His servant in every way. Without delay. Without question. Without pouting. Without arguement. Without bargaining. Without demanding a gift in return…
Like gold is the standard other monitary values are based upon, Obedience and Submission are the standards that our lives in Christ are to be based upon. Our lives are to be willfully and joyfully marked by these traits. Obedience and Submission are more valuable and everlasting than gold.
Frankincense – This is my worship, praise, prayers, and passionate desire for personal intimate fellowship with God my King and Father and Creator, Jesus Christ my Savior and Friend and Lover, and The Holy Spirit my Counselor and Convictor and Teacher.
The gift of praise, worship, gratitude, and desire for The Lord are a sweet aroma to Him, and in living this way, we become the sweet aroma of Christ to others who come into contact with our lives (2 Cor. 2:14-15).
Praise, worship, gratitude, and intimacy with Jesus is especially a gift to Him when life isn’t going as we would like it. When times are hard, and we wonder why God is allowing certain things to cross our lives, yet we choose to praise, worship, thank, and walk with Him… This is the sacrificial gift that reveals our true hearts and that blesses His heart.
Myrrh – This is the dying of self in our physical bodies, so that the Power and Presence of the Holy Spirit can embalm us, stiffen us to the sway of this world, and preserve us to belong totally to our God and King.
For me, this Myrrh is probably the hardest gift to give. I don’t mind saying I “want” to give this gift to Jesus, but actually doing it will be a minute by minute battle. I will give this gift to Jesus as I choose to act and react in ways that are pleasing to Him instead of gratifying to me. It will be a gift I give in every choice that I make – in every area of my life – alone, with God, with my family, at home, in public… and it will span the physical and emotional and spiritual.
What are you giving to Jesus for His birthday this year? Is He on your list yet? If you ask Him, He will show you what He would love to have from you ~ His precious, beloved, valued, beautiful child. Whatever it is, giving it may be costly, but it will also be a blessing to you and your life. That’s just how our Lord and Savior works. 🙂
With prayers for each of you dear readers as you prepare your hearts and homes for Christmas~
(This topic is expanded upon in Keeping Christ AS Christmas)
Read Keeping Christ AS Christmas
an e-book by Jennifer Walker
A practical and inspirational approach to seeking and finding Jesus this Christmas season, Keeping Christ AS Christmas offers simple strategies and sanity savers to help your Christmas be meaningful in a new and treasured way. Prepare your hearts, households, and homes for Peace this Christmas season by Keeping Christ AS Christmas.
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ChristASChristmas.com (for all other e-book formats)
