The Gifts (Christmas Message)

It is Christmas again and it is a joy to remember God’s love and mercies that has kept us and brought us this far, far even to celebrate another Christmas. All praise to God.

Matthew 2:11 says, “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.”

Centuries ago, the wise men went in search of Jesus, knowing that He was no ordinary child but the KING. And when they found Him, they worshiped Him and presented gifts to Him. Now the gifts they offered were gold, frankincense and myrrh. These gifts offered to Jesus had a significant message to say to the whole world.

Gold represents something very precious, highly valued, glorious, most holy. we see God commanding Moses to lay the most holy things in the most holy place with pure gold.(exodus 25:10-40). We also see the Holy city of Jerusalem, the city whose builder is God, made of gold. (Hebrews 11:10, revelation 21:18&21)

Frankincense represents an offering pleasing to God. We see God commanding Moses to prepare an incense with spices including frankincense. (Exodus 30:1; 30:34)

Myrrh represents hope for the resurrection of the dead. In the ancient days, people (including the Jews) embalmed their dead with myrrh and few other spices, hoping that someday they would come back to life which in other words resurrect. We see Jesus’ body was wrapped in linen with spices including myrrh. (John 19:29)

Putting them together the gifts conveyed that Jesus – the Most High and Holy God has come to offer Himself as a perfect sacrifice that He will not only die but also resurrect from the dead.

The gifts did not speak in words yet they carried the message of Jesus through their very nature of who they were. Just as these gifts, if would you have presented your life as a gift to Jesus, is your very nature carrying the message of Jesus to this world?