And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him. Matthew 2:11

As we get back to normal  after the holidays, it’s a good idea to reflect on Christmas’ “spirit of giving” which so dominated the last months. January brings a healthy dose of reality as stacks of bills arrive and we scratch our financial brains to pay for what seemed like great ideas a month ago. Admittedly, didn’t we all spend far too much for our loved ones? Did the children really need every “must have” touted on the Disney Channel? Well, we’ve all succumbed to “wish lists”, especially with children. As a doting grandmother who “loves to give good gifts” to our grandchildren, I am normally  generous, but my common sense goes missing at Christmas.

Isn’t the “Christmas spirit” all about giving good gifts to our families and friends?  Well, yes and no. As cultural postmodernism plays dice with the meanings of words, we’re inclined to believe that “giving” and “buying/shopping” are synonymous. The genuine desire to give to those we love is increasingly misdirected toward the marketplace. By the end of the season when the glow of Christmas tarnishes, who has not felt down right worn out, depressed and deeply  unsatisfied? We’ve been duped by a false spirit of buying and selling which, incidentally, Jesus drove from the temple. Today that spirit is deeply entrenched in shopping malls and on line, especially at Christmas. It entices us away from the truth.

We have forgotten the gift of kings.

The tradition of giving Christmas gifts may come from the story of the three Magi who followed a star to Bethlehem. It’s a good place in God’s Word to ponder. The Magi were Eastern astronomers searching the skies for answers to prophesies and when an unusual bright new star appeared, there must have been great excitement. The Magi were learned men who knew the ancient scriptures from the prophet Micah :

…out of you (Bethlehem) will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient time Micah 5:2

They were not stargazing adventurers nor did they blindly follow a cosmological phenomenon out of scientific curiosity. Theirs was a pilgrimage to find the king prophesied by Micah. The star pointing to Bethlehem was the sign. The Bible says that they brought valuable gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. It’s important to remember that they brought these treasures with them from the East. They didn’t shop for them along the way in a crowded bazaar or haggle in the desert with a traveling caravan merchant. The Magi purposely followed the star to Jesus. Expecting to find a king, they came prepared with gifts befitting a king.

Were they shocked to find a newborn baby swaddled in a dirty animal shelter, instead of a child in a gilded palace? Probably and most likely. And yet, Matthew writes that when they saw the star resting over where Jesus lay, the Magi “rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.” He then adds:

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 2:11-12

Why fall to the ground to worship  a seemingly ordinary, poor baby? Why lay extravagant gifts before the Child.? Why such exceeding great joy?

It is because as kings – or royal wise men- they immediately discerned Jesus’ royalty and were overjoyed because Micah’s prophecy was right before their eyes. In Jesus they saw the future Messiah of Israel but supernatural revelation of Christ’s divinity drove them to their knees in worship.  Their epiphany moments with Jesus changed their cosmology  forever. The Magi- Wise Men – Kings gave Jesus  precious gifts gold, frankincense and myrrh, but I believe they gave the Lord something far more precious. They opened their hearts to Him in adoration.

Our Creator instilled in us the desire to give good gifts to those we love because God loves and is generous toward us. His intentions and gifts to us don’t change and neither should ours. I am tired of the serpent hissing lies in my ears that the gift of love has a price tag which can be discounted 20, 30,  50%  at whim.  I say “Enough and be gone already in the Name of the Lord.” Far more than gold I desire the Magi’s gift for King Jesus and  for those I love – my heart left in the straw. That is the royal gift which can’t be bought or sold.

Friede