The Gifts of Christmas #2

THE GIFT OF JESUS

During the Christmas season, we all think about the gifts we want to buy for friends and family. We try to find that “perfect gift.” It’s been said that a gift must meet three criteria for it to be considered “perfect.”

Number one, the gift should reflect the one who gives it.

Number two, the gift should reflect knowledge of the one who receives it—in other words, knowledge of their needs, desires, tastes, and so forth.

And number three, the gift should be of a nature and quality that will hold its value as time goes on.

Gifts are important, and the gifts given to Jesus were also important. Jesus was given gold, incense (or frankincense), and myrrh. We don’t know for sure what each of these gifts represented, but it is likely that these particular gifts were chosen for a reason.

SLIDE OF GIFTS

According to tradition, gold was given to the infant King as a token of His royalty. Frankincense, a fragrant incense used in sacrificial offerings, was meant to represent Jesus’ deity. Myrrh, a perfume or ointment, was a token of His future suffering.

END WITH THIS

Jesus reflects the One Who gave Him—God the Father. Number two, God’s gift of His Son reflects knowledge of our needs. And number three, the Gift of Jesus is of a nature and quality that will hold its value as times goes on. Jesus’ value is eternal! says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (NIV). God gave us the perfect Gift when He gave us Jesus!