I guess my two youngest grandchildren said it best when asked what Christmas is all about: “Christmas is all about Jesus, and Santa Claus and decorations, and presents. And then, screaming while jumping up and down and with big smiles on their faces, ‘Christmas is about presents!’”
For a lot of us, the idea of presents seems to dominate most of our thoughts and actions during the Christmas season. We think about what we will buy, who we will buy for, how much we can or should spend, and then we so...
I guess my two youngest grandchildren said it best when asked what Christmas is all about: “Christmas is all about Jesus, and Santa Claus and decorations, and presents. And then, screaming while jumping up and down and with big smiles on their faces, ‘Christmas is about presents!’”
For a lot of us, the idea of presents seems to dominate most of our thoughts and actions during the Christmas season. We think about what we will buy, who we will buy for, how much we can or should spend, and then we sometimes worry if we have gotten the right gifts or the big question, “How am I going to pay for all these gifts?” It’s gotten a little out of hand if you ask me!
This Christmas season, let’s talk about the subject of Christmas gifts from a very different perspective. Instead of discussing what we will purchase for others, let’s discuss the ‘gifts of Christmas’ first mentioned in the Bible. You know, the event that started it all! Here is a short passage from the story of the Wise Men’s visit to the Christ-child: “And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary, His mother; and they fell and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11 These scholars and philosophers visited Jesus from a land far from Bethlehem; they did not understand everything about Jesus, but they knew He was a gift from God and would change the world. So, they brought him valuable gifts, perfect gifts, rich with meaning.
The gift of gold symbolized Kingship on earth.
Jesus was ‘King of the Jews,’ and they recognized his royal stature. He is the Eternal King overall, seated at the right hand of God on his throne. The gift of frankincense (a popular incense) was taken as a symbol of deity. Jesus was Messiah, the anointed one from God.
Christians later were taught by God that Jesus was ‘God in the flesh,’ “fully God and fully man.” The last gift of these Magi was an embalming oil, myrrh, which symbolized his coming death as part of his mission to earth. It was later understood that Jesus would conquer death through his resurrection; death would no longer be something to fear; it would also not be able to hold anyone down!
Other gifts have come out of the story of Jesus’ birth. We can call them “The Gifts of Christmas.” The first was a gift from God and was God’s greatest act of love.
God sent Jesus to us all to love and teach us but also to die for us. This loving gift offers us our salvation and eternal life – it could only come from God! Another gift of Christmas is the gift of grace, God’s favor towards us. God not only loves us; out of that love, He acts to save us, bless us, and give us hope – in this life and in the life to come.
The final gift of Christmas was a gift of ultimate value. The magi started it with their expensive gifts, ascribing great worth and value to Jesus. God wanted us to understand that He valued us so much that He would give the ultimate gift of Jesus to save us!
Let us all receive, with a thankful heart, the gifts of Christmas! These gifts come from God, who loves us and has given us the best and the most perfect gift. It is a gift of life, joy, and hope.
“Merry Christmas!”
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