Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Third Christmas Day
Matthew 2:11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
GIFTS FROM THE HEART
"It's the thought that counts." We hear that phrase when it comes to gift-giving, don't we? The gift does not always have to be expensive or extravagant in order to be appreciated. The mother enjoys the scribbled drawing her three year old gave to her more than a Monet, for it was given from a thoughtful and loving heart.
On the other hand, a large gift can seem empty and worthless if the receiver knows it was given grudgingly or out of compulsion.
When the Magi came to worship Jesus, they brought three gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh. Clearly, they were extravagant gifts fit for a king. Were they given from hearts which trusted in the Savior, or were the wise men merely seeking to draw attention to themselves through such a great pilgrimage and offering?
Consider what they did first when they entered the house: they bowed down and worshiped Jesus. Only after that did they present their treasures. Their hearts were so filled with true knowledge and joy concerning the Christ that they could not but pour out their prayers of thanksgiving to the Christmas Child before doing anything else. Then the gifts of love, the further fruits of their faith, followed from their treasury! One can give without loving, but cannot love without giving.
"What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart"
(Christina Rossetti, 1872).
