When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
And going into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother,
and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures,
they offered Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh (Mt 2:10-11 ESV).
Magi from the East searched the skies for the star that would herald the coming of a great king.
It was far greater than the Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn we just witnessed—for it was a miraculous instrument of God.
It was the highly awaited sign that would signal the pilgrimage of these wise men.
At first glimpse of heaven’s prepared light, these stargazers were overjoyed beyond measure.
With the arrival of God’s greatest Gift, they loaded their cargo and journeyed westward, guided by the star—with a determination to honor the newborn King.
We don’t know their number, but their gifts were three. They were gifts carefully prepared and rich with meaning. Their offerings were costly. Their gifts, extravagant. No stingy Scrooge could be counted among them.
They didn’t give to get.
Nor should we.
Our interactions, however, really amount to more of an exchange than actual giving. Because often we give with an expectation for something of equal value in return.
But God, our Father, is generous. He gives good gifts.
And when the Gift of His Salvation was born, these men responded. They traveled far to give honor. To give worship. To give of the gifts they’d been given.
The extravagant gifts they offered were:
Gold, to crown Him King;
Frankincense, a worship offering;
And myrrh, symbolic of the sacrifice He would give.
If you were to prepare a gift, what would your treasure box hold?
No gold?
No myrrh?
No frankincense?
That’s ok.
That is not what He requires.
Simply give Him your devotion.
Prepare a gift of worship.
Prepare it carefully.
Then, with exceedingly great joy, offer it to your King.
#Worship #GiftGiving #Devotion #PreparedAtChristmas