advent day eighteen


We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star
treasure

Christians have always had different views about money, wealth, possessions, and some of us still fell uneasy at the commercialism which surrounds Christmas today. In a world where some are so poor, is it right to spend so much? We try to appease our consciences by buying charity Christmas cards, or a gift of a goat.

But the idea of gift giving at Christmas seems to have started right here in the Bible, with the wise men and their treasure. This was just the start of a paradox which seemed to follow Jesus throughout his life– a simple life where he had no possessions or home of his own, but where those around him were extravagant in their gifts to him. When a woman poured expensive perfume over him, the disciples protested at the waste– but Jesus accepted her gift graciously and praised her for it.

God doesn’t demand offerings from us– but He delights when we bring our best to Him. This Christmas, as we do our best to make our homes look beautiful, as we plan and purchase just the right gift for those we love, as we spend our money, let’s offer each treasure to God. And as we look around at our decorated towns and cities, let’s smile to ourselves as we see that often without realizing it, they are celebrating the greatest gift of all– God’s gift of His son to the world.

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.

Matthew 2:11

Gifts fit for a king 


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