Advent 4 - Love
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[Video]: Visit of the Magi to the Manger in “The Nativity Story.”
Assumed that the tradition of giving one another gifts at Christmas comes from the example of the Magi.
In our larger culture, the gift giving has taken over the real “reason for the season.”
But under all that effort to buy gifts and share them with our family & friends is, however hidden, the real reason for the season:
Demonstrating our love through gifts.
As we come together on this last Sunday before Christmas, we focus on the Advent theme of Love.
I can’t think of a better way to describe love than to read and reflect together on how love is demonstrated at the manger scene.
Before we get to the gifts of the Magi, we need to be reminded of the amazing gift we have received in Christ.
Love Comes Down From Heaven
Love Comes Down From Heaven
Our demonstrations of love are based on the fact that God loves us first.
10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
The Magi and Their Gifts
The Magi and Their Gifts
Good to pull back some layers of tradition from the stories that have built up around the Magi over the centuries.
Magi, wise men, from (probably) Persia. Modern day Iraq/Iran.
Not Jewish but very familiar with Jewish faith.
Highly educated, counselors to royalty.
Astronomers/Astrologers
Combination of familiarity with the Jewish expectation of the Messiah, the Jewish Bible, and the astronomical event of the star in the heavens led them to believe that the new Jewish king was born.(Matt. 2:2)
Their trip was well over 1,000 miles and many months long. Probably a fairly large caravan.
When they finally arrive in Bethlehem, they offer the baby Jesus and his parents gifts.
They offered traditional gifts for kings.
10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
15 Long live the king! May the gold of Sheba be given to him. May the people always pray for him and bless him all day long.
2 Accept my prayer as incense offered to you, and my upraised hands as an evening offering.
8 Myrrh, aloes, and cassia perfume your robes. In ivory palaces the music of strings entertains you.
39 With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes.
These gifts weren’t just picked up at WalGreens on the way into town.
Carefully thought out not only to honor the newborn King but to represent his life and mission.
Gold: Jesus is the King of Kings.
16 On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
Incense: He is the priest, intercessor, for us before God.
whitish resin from a specific plant. Allowed to sit out for at least 3 months. Solidifies, then is burned as incense.
23 There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. 24 But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. 25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.
Myrrh: He is the given sacrifice for sins.
Also the resin but from a thorn bush. Where frankincense was aromatic and beautiful to experience. Mryrrh is bitter to smell & taste. Used in embalming, painkiller.
39 With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes.
Our Gifts
Our Gifts
The magi brought gifts to honor the 1st advent of Christ.
We celebrate this wonderful event and, at the same time, we anticipate his 2nd advent.
The magi give us a wonderful example to follow as we celebrate and anticipate.
What can we bring to celebrate and anticipate?
What gifts do we bring our Lord?
What would be the Gold equivalent?
May I suggest that one of the most valuable commodities in our culture is time.
40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
Incense equivalent
1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior,
This is care and concern for others.
40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
Myrrh equivalent
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
1 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
1 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. 3 For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.
39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.
Conclusion:
Notice the value of these gifts:
time, care for others, our very lives.
G - I’m going to GIVE unto others in His name. And as I do, I’ll share about God’s goodness and faithfulness and His most perfect gift that’s available for all—His gift of love wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
I – I’m going to INVITE others to share Christmas with my family. God’s welcome mat is out for everyone. Why shouldn’t I do the same? Senior citizens, single parents and those far from home and family are often alone at Christmas. I can easily set extra plates on the dinner table and offer a warm welcome as we celebrate the reason for the season.
F – I’m going to FIND opportunities to spend time with Him. That’s one of the most special gifts I can give. Finding time to read His love letter to me, to talk with Him and to be still long enough so that I can hear His whispers to my heart.
T – I’m going to give Him THANKS for all He’s done. God’s been so good and blessed my family so much that I could never thank Him enough, but I can try. And I hope that my words of praise will be music to His ears, almost like a Christmas carol from my heart to His.