Three Gifts

Three gifts.  That is what the Christ Child received from the wise men.  But it was not on the day of His birth.  It was when He was around two years old.  Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were living in Bethlehem at the time.
Guided by a star, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and approached Herod, the king, 
Matthew 2:2-6  "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."  3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;  4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.  5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:  6 "' And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'" 
They followed the star until it stopped over the house of Joseph and Mary.  What an unusual star! What a divine plan.  The kings of the east brought gifts of gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.  Such elaborate gifts for a baby...but not too elaborate for a King.
Because of Herod's decree to kill all baby boys, two years old and under, Joseph was told in a dream to take his family to Egypt where they safely stayed until Herod's death. They then returned and settled in Nazareth.
So, if you could give a gift to Jesus, what would it be?  Perhaps your most beautiful, prized possession?  What about the idols of your heart?  He wants them all...everything revealed and everything hidden.
These kings brought gifts to the King of Kings, who offers the matchless gift of eternal life to all who will believe.
Every year I ask the children in my Sunday School class - a room of first through third graders - what gifts they would give to Jesus. They have the best answers...my bike, my Legos, my dolls, my baseball cards, my computer, my Wii...the beloved things they own.  Their precious treasures.  May we be like them..giving our best to Him....because He gave His best to us.

On a personal note: Last year we switched our giving plan from all out frenzy to three gifts each.  I know each family has their own plan to celebrate Christmas.  Ours had become more than it should be and I take the blame because I like to give gifts.  Bringing those urges under control (yes, I really said that) makes me a better steward of what He has given us.  So we are sticking with the "three gift" theme.  It is centuries old and has passed the test of time.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!