“And when they
had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and
fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they
presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11 NKJ)
had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and
fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they
presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11 NKJ)
Christmas . . . a
time of revelry and festivity . . . a time of impressing people with the size
and value of a gift. When our children are born, we want to give them
everything they want, even if they don’t know what they want. While they are
growing up, we struggle with what age-appropriate gifts to buy for them.
time of revelry and festivity . . . a time of impressing people with the size
and value of a gift. When our children are born, we want to give them
everything they want, even if they don’t know what they want. While they are
growing up, we struggle with what age-appropriate gifts to buy for them.
Every year the gifts
get bigger and more expensive. Of course, the family is growing and increasing
so we are expected to buy more. Finally, we begin ‘drawing names’ to offset the
expense. And Christmas gets twisted and torn in the process. It becomes a dreaded
holiday. Only the merchants are happy. It wasn’t meant to be this way.
get bigger and more expensive. Of course, the family is growing and increasing
so we are expected to buy more. Finally, we begin ‘drawing names’ to offset the
expense. And Christmas gets twisted and torn in the process. It becomes a dreaded
holiday. Only the merchants are happy. It wasn’t meant to be this way.
Christmas began with
a baby born in uncertain times under uncertain conditions to a family that
could barely pay its taxes. Gift-giving had always been about giving to the
poor who needed help. On that wonderful night of our Savior’s birth, God was
giving to those who needed help.
a baby born in uncertain times under uncertain conditions to a family that
could barely pay its taxes. Gift-giving had always been about giving to the
poor who needed help. On that wonderful night of our Savior’s birth, God was
giving to those who needed help.
When the Eastern
wise men followed a star and finally arrived at Joseph’s and Mary’s home, their
visit was about worship and honor. Yes, they gave their best, because that is
the attitude of worship. They were worshipping God, not exchanging gifts. And they
were not trying to impress anyone but the King whom they worshipped.
wise men followed a star and finally arrived at Joseph’s and Mary’s home, their
visit was about worship and honor. Yes, they gave their best, because that is
the attitude of worship. They were worshipping God, not exchanging gifts. And they
were not trying to impress anyone but the King whom they worshipped.
Wise men and women,
boys and girls still search for God’s Anointed One. They come prepared to give
their best to him. They come to worship him, for he alone is worthy of our
worship.
boys and girls still search for God’s Anointed One. They come prepared to give
their best to him. They come to worship him, for he alone is worthy of our
worship.
Dear Father, thank
you for giving us your gift of salvation. Grant that we may give our best to
you in worship. May we worship you by sharing your grace with others. I pray
this prayer in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for giving us your gift of salvation. Grant that we may give our best to
you in worship. May we worship you by sharing your grace with others. I pray
this prayer in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be strong and
courageous today worshipping Christ,
courageous today worshipping Christ,