Steemchurch Merry Christmas, be blessed forever, you have the best gift the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The practice of making gifts at Christmas may have been derived from the attitude of the Magi when they offered the family of Jesus gold, incense and myrrh. These were common gifts for a newborn of the time, because gold would serve as money for sustenance, incense was used to frighten flies and myrrh to protect the skin of the baby.
In addition, the three present had a symbolic meaning:
Certainly those men offered much more than that along with those present.
What is the best Christmas gift?
In addition to gold, frankincense and myrrh, the wise men dedicated:
FAITH
The sages believed in the message star and especially the prophecy of the Word of God, interpreted by the scribes. They were men of faith, because they believed in the sample of the star as the Light Messiah and also had intimacy with God spoke to them through the dream.
While everyone was unnoticed, Herod was incredulous, but prevented and the religious themselves were not understanding, the wise men believed and went to Bethlehem.
The best gift we can give to Jesus is our faith, because "without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11.6). One of the things that Jesus seeks in us is faith (Lk 18,8).
Seek to believe more in Jesus!
WEATHER
The wise men came from the east to Bethlehem. They entered a long journey in search of the Messiah. They walked for many days, weeks and perhaps even months. They left everything they had to be with the Son of God for a moment.
The world makes us too busy to seek God. We can not even concentrate because we have a cell phone, a bell and so many other things that attract our attention. Modern life is such a career that we go on to live automated following the daily routine.
God wants us to dedicate part of our time to his mission that sent us to make disciples. We have to be in communion with God all the time to "pray without ceasing" (I Thessalonians 5:17).
Devote more of your time to Jesus!
Courage
Herod sent for the Magi, not a diplomatic visit, but an investigation of his purpose. Herod proposed that they be spies to discover the new king. The fear of Herod because he had to be aware of usurping the Jewish throne, then the fear that a legitimate king rose up.
The wise men had great courage to stand before Herod and speak the truth, for it would be obvious that he would not accept another king who was not of his lineage. The magicians were also courageous in not giving the return requested by the monarch revealing where the child would be.
God always tells us that we should not be afraid. "We have to be bold in God's work" because God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-control "(II Timothy 1.7). He wants us to be brave to do his work.
Be brave to do God's work!
Jesus is the greatest gift of Christmas!
Do not just think about winning gifts this Christmas. The greatest gift you have won, which is Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Also do not think that giving only material gifts will be doing the best for who you love. Your family needs a lot more than gifts.
Although the Lord Jesus accepted our donations to the next one (Matthew 25:45), the best gift he desires that we give to all people is the message that came to the world to save us.
