Have you ever wanted to or needed to give a gift to a very important person? Did you spend hours deciding what you would give them? Did you feel flummoxed regarding what you could give them? Did you feel your gift was totally inadequate?
Giving gifts to someone of prestige can be daunting. We may be confounded and feel as though we could never give a gift worthy of them. An assumption by many is that the more expensive the gift, the better it is. That assumption is not always true.
The magi, or wise men, bring the finest gifts to the infant Jesus. Ostensibly, those gifts are given to Mary and Joseph as Jesus’ parents. It is Mary and Joseph who will determine how those gifts are used, for the gifts given are of no use to an infant. Yet, they are valuable and will be used to provide for the safety of the young Jesus.
So, how does this apply to us today? After all, we cannot bring gifts and physically lay them at Jesus’ feet. Yet, we can bring gifts to Him. We have been blessed by God in both material things and spiritual gifts. It is the spiritual gifts we can use for His glory and give back to Him.
As we demonstrate His love, grace, and mercy to others, we honor Him. It is through our use of His gifts that we give Him the most important gift. There is no dollar value that can be put on it. There is no price we can pay to replace it. Yet, we can give an expensive gift.
I pray we all choose to use our gifts for Jesus’ glory. I pray we show His love, grace, and mercy to others. I pray each one of us will give our precious gift to Jesus by using the gifts He gave us. Use your gifts for Jesus. Love one another. Be gracious to one another. Be merciful to one another. Give back to Jesus.
Matthew 2:11: On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Marty Pressey 