First they praised and worshipped him. Then they presented him the gifts. These were not random gifts that had been lying around. Each gift has significance.
The Gifts of the Magi
1. “Gold is a precious metal that has been used for jewelry, ornaments, currency, and idols throughout human history because of its color and shine.
2. Frankincenseis an expensive fragrance or perfume made from trees in India and Arabia.
3. Myrrh is a specific kind of costly perfume made from rare thorn bushes in Arabia and Ethiopia that is used as an antiseptic anointing oil and embalming fluid.”
They were not giving to get. They had no requests, needs or even wants to ask. They only came to praise and honor Him. What a reminder for me. So often, I come before God with my laundry list of needs, requests and worries. When do I come just to worship God? Maybe I need to ask some different questions. Instead of “why do we give gifts”, maybe I should think about “what I can give Him”?
Just like the Magi gave these extravagant gifts, God gives us good gifts everyday. On Sunday, we will celebrate the original Epiphany, when the wise men knew the king had been born. Over the next few weeks, we are going to look deeper into Epiphany and the gifts it has to offer us. The birth of Jesus was only the beginning, the first revelation of who Jesus is. But there is more to come
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Father God, forgive me when I come wanting. Forgive me for always looking for what you can do for me. Help me to right my heart so that I may come to you with praise and worship . Teach me to give the most extravagant gifts to you, to give my all to you, for you gave everything to me. Thank you that you never give up on me. In Jesus name, Amen.
3 thoughts on “Epiphany: Why we give gifts”
Praise God! The best yet. Love you
Happy New Year Melissa!…. Indeed we are a society of asking and wanting something ,always!… thanks for the reminder for us to see what we can give to Jesus… I need to give him time in HIS word!
MB, you can never go wrong giving God your time, especially in His Word. -M