When they (the Magi) saw the star, they were overjoyed. 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, frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:10-11 (NIV)
We three kings of Orient are bearing gifts, we traverse afar field and fountain, moor and mountain following yonder star
“We Three Kings” or “The Quest of the Magi”, is a Christmas hymn that was penned by John Henry Hopkins Jr. in 1857. You know the story in the song – it’s about the journey of the three curious Kings, or wise men, who traveled to see the newborn Savior Jesus and famously brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Three words stand out to me. Journey. Curious. Gifts. They speak to the experience that is almost universal in humans. We are all on a journey in this life — and the journey itself is kind of a mystery and so curious may be universal.
But it’s the gifts that seem to have a lot of variables.
What would you bring?
What will you bring?
I know, the way we celebrate Christmas is about giving gifts to family and friends.
But, say you were a modern day pursuer of the Savior…What gift(s) would you bring?
Factor into your answer the fact that Jesus/God doesn’t need our stuff. So now we reach the fork in the road…do I look at what I have to give? Or is the more practical and profound, obvious and elusive question: “What does God want? We often start with that question when considering Christmas gifts for family and friends…is it not most appropriate here too?
What does God want?
What does God want?
What God wants is YOU! As you are, not as you should be. You don’t have to clean yourself up first. As you are. God wants you! Your heart.
So, what are some tangible gifts that fall under the “heart” category? I mean, if they were a drop down on Amazon what would be some of the categories? I suggest we can bring these gifts:
- Doubt about whether He exists at all
- Frustration that things are not working out as we had hoped
- Anger and grief at deep loss of a loved one who died
- A broken heart that loved that lost
- Surrender to give over control
These are honest and worthy gifts to bring to God this Christmas.
Prayer for the week
How do you do this? A simple prayer, or a handwritten note you read out loud to Him. Something along the lines of:
“I’m not sure how to do this God or whether or not you exist at all or are listening, but I bring you my ________________. I’m so tired of carrying it, so I’ll just lay it down right here, in my mind like I’m laying it in front of you 2,000 years ago. It’s the worst I can bring, but it’s the best I can bring…I’m giving you ME.”