What do you really want for Christmas? Does it matter? For some, it is about giving more than receiving. And for many Christmas seasons I can tell you what I gave to others more than I can remember what I received…now I am not wanting to sound ungrateful but I would rather give than receive. After all, we know that "It's more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). So most of us work hard on the giving part. Some people actually start months before Christmas planning and shopping. Even the wise men from the east came to Jerusalem bringing gifts. No names, no head count. Wise men, "magi" were astrologers, the scientists of the day. The people to whom the powerful turned for advice. And they too thought it was a great thing to give. Herod was right to be frightened. These powerful people recognized someone even more powerful. They brought gifts suitable for a king. And it upset Herod and jealousy and rage filled his heart. From the magi, we learn to give of ourselves to God and God's work; we give our prayers, our gifts (spiritual and talents) our money and our time, our problems and our pain, to God. The wise men remind us that Christmas is about giving.
Most of us are pretty good at giving. But what can be difficult is the receiving part -- lasts for about an hour or so depending on when you open gifts – it might be Christmas or Christmas day. Maybe we add on a few visits with family. Often by the second day of Christmas everything is over and some people take down their trees and remove any signs that Christmas was even here.
The magi arrive with joy to celebrate a new king. And they have the right gifts for a king, even one born in a stable. And maybe a drummer boy is in the mix someplace – but the wise men remind us that Christmas is about giving. . . . Or is it? Is there something else going on in this story?
Actually the gospel implies that the gift giving that the wise men did is something of an afterthought. They don't tell Herod that they saw the star and came to give gifts to the new king. It says they came to worship the king and it is only AFTER they have knelt before the child that they offer gifts. They "pay" Jesus homage. They are indebted to him. They, the wealthy and powerful wise men, give the child the worship due his name and life because of the gift the child offers them.
For the Jews the gift of the messiah is obvious. This is the Christ who comes to save them. This is the one who, as Jeremiah tells us, gathers and cares for the people, comforting them, and even giving unto them. In return the people are "radiant with joy" -- they dance and sing aloud and are merry; and their whole life overflows with goodness.
In the messiah, the Jews certainly expect to receive an awesome gift. But what of the wise men? They aren't Jews. They are foreigners. Foreigners weren't popular with Jews and not accepted into the inner circle at all. In the mind of the Jews, this kingly Messiah has come to conquer foreigners. So the birth of the king of the Jews may not be good news for them. And yet they are not turned away from this new king. Perhaps this new king of the Jews offers them an even greater gift: he welcomes them, the unacceptable strangers, into his kingdom. Perhaps the wise men were wise enough to foresee a time when the Prince of Peace would break down the barriers between nations, when our differences fade in the light of one bright star.
They greet the child with joy, pay him homage, and offer gifts. The gifts -- gold, frankincense, and myrrh -- are just a thank you. The real gift was a king who welcomed unacceptable strangers. A savior who came to bring joy, peace and new life to ALL the world.
The story of the wise men is not about giving but about receiving. The gift for us is that we, however unacceptable or distant to God are welcomed and literally given a gift of life and grace.
This can be a difficult gift to receive -- to accept God's welcome -- when we know our own unworthiness.
But this child is the one who gathers the blind and the lame, the young and the old, those who weep and those who wander astray. This child is the one who gathers us all from afar and turns our sadness into joy. This child is the gift God has been waiting to provide to all who would seek Him and learn to give their lives to Him.
Most of us are pretty good at giving. But what can be difficult is the receiving part -- lasts for about an hour or so depending on when you open gifts – it might be Christmas or Christmas day. Maybe we add on a few visits with family. Often by the second day of Christmas everything is over and some people take down their trees and remove any signs that Christmas was even here.
The magi arrive with joy to celebrate a new king. And they have the right gifts for a king, even one born in a stable. And maybe a drummer boy is in the mix someplace – but the wise men remind us that Christmas is about giving. . . . Or is it? Is there something else going on in this story?
Actually the gospel implies that the gift giving that the wise men did is something of an afterthought. They don't tell Herod that they saw the star and came to give gifts to the new king. It says they came to worship the king and it is only AFTER they have knelt before the child that they offer gifts. They "pay" Jesus homage. They are indebted to him. They, the wealthy and powerful wise men, give the child the worship due his name and life because of the gift the child offers them.
For the Jews the gift of the messiah is obvious. This is the Christ who comes to save them. This is the one who, as Jeremiah tells us, gathers and cares for the people, comforting them, and even giving unto them. In return the people are "radiant with joy" -- they dance and sing aloud and are merry; and their whole life overflows with goodness.
In the messiah, the Jews certainly expect to receive an awesome gift. But what of the wise men? They aren't Jews. They are foreigners. Foreigners weren't popular with Jews and not accepted into the inner circle at all. In the mind of the Jews, this kingly Messiah has come to conquer foreigners. So the birth of the king of the Jews may not be good news for them. And yet they are not turned away from this new king. Perhaps this new king of the Jews offers them an even greater gift: he welcomes them, the unacceptable strangers, into his kingdom. Perhaps the wise men were wise enough to foresee a time when the Prince of Peace would break down the barriers between nations, when our differences fade in the light of one bright star.
They greet the child with joy, pay him homage, and offer gifts. The gifts -- gold, frankincense, and myrrh -- are just a thank you. The real gift was a king who welcomed unacceptable strangers. A savior who came to bring joy, peace and new life to ALL the world.
The story of the wise men is not about giving but about receiving. The gift for us is that we, however unacceptable or distant to God are welcomed and literally given a gift of life and grace.
This can be a difficult gift to receive -- to accept God's welcome -- when we know our own unworthiness.
But this child is the one who gathers the blind and the lame, the young and the old, those who weep and those who wander astray. This child is the one who gathers us all from afar and turns our sadness into joy. This child is the gift God has been waiting to provide to all who would seek Him and learn to give their lives to Him.
When God is the one giving the gift, it is indeed blessed to receive. The gift has been given once and for all. But we are continually receiving that gift.
So. What are you getting for Christmas? A glimpse of the light of life coming your way? A vision of peace and welcome in a broken world? The assurance that you, just as you are, are welcomed and loved by God? The wonderful gift that reminds us that we matter so much to Him? The gift has been given. The gift is Jesus and those who are wise continue to receive Him with thanks.
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