Truths of Christmas (Pt. 3)

Christmas has come and gone for 2014, but there is another lesson in genuine worship seen in this story -- that of giving our treasures to the king. You know, some people say that Christmas is only a cultural tradition not connected with any spiritual reality. And maybe to many people, it is only a custom or an ordinary holiday, but to the children of God, it marks the commemoration of the most historic, life-changing birth the world has known or ever will know.

The wise men brought rich gifts as evidence of their adoration of the child King. The gifts were not mere tokens of courtesy. They were valuable, expensive treasures. Gold was the essential currency of the day, and frankincense was a sweet smelling resin, very costly. Myrrh was a popular scented ointment, the same type of ointment another Mary used to anoint the Lord's feet and the same type of ointment Nicodemus used on Jesus' body after the crucifixion.

And my friends, these gifts were not offered from compulsion but from the extravagance of devotion. Not because they had to give, but because their hearts were filled with love for the newborn king. Those who love Jesus whole-heartedly demonstrate it by offering their lives and their treasures to Him. He is worthy of our most valuable gifts, but He desires one gift supremely: the gift of ourselves in true worship. Consequently, the amazing paradox is that while He is honored by our gifts, we are blessed beyond measure by the act of giving. While we are busy giving and receiving gifts this Christmas, we should concentrate on the greatest gift of all--the gift of God's Son, our Savior. After all, when all the gifts have been opened and the paper discarded, He continues as the ultimate Gift to all humanity. When the Christmas meals have been eaten and friends and family have gone their separate ways, the Bread of life continues to abide with us and offer us spiritual nourishment. When the lights on the Christmas tree have been removed and boxed up, He remains as the Light of the world who desires to illuminate your life today.

The truth about Christmas is that everyday can be a holiday when you worship the one born King of the Jews who gave His life on the cross for you and for me.