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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
Our demonstrations of love are based on the fact that God loves us first.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Incense equivalent
This is care and concern for others.
Myrrh equivalent
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.
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