THE MAGI: THREE GIFTS 

“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” – Matthew 2:11

People practice exchanging gifts around the world at Christmastime but rarely think about giving gifts to the one whose birth we celebrate. The Magi (or Wise Men) brought three gifts to baby Jesus: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Do you know that you can bring Jesus three gifts as well? Let’s remember that the list of things Jesus delights in is so different than our own.  

The first gift we can bring is our past, with all of its pain, mistakes, and regrets. We don’t have to live a tortured life, going through guilt over our sins. If we’ve confessed them and trusted Christ as our Savior.  Jesus won’t obliterate the memory of our past, but he’ll take away the sting and give us a testimony so we can say, “I am free! I have peace with God because of Jesus.”

You can also give him your future with all of its uncertainty, especially in this day and age when people’s hearts melt with fear as they wonder how they and their children will be able to survive in a world torn by confusion and strife. Jesus would love to replace that fear with his peace and with the reminder of his promise never to leave you nor forsake you.

Lastly, and most important of all, you can offer Jesus “today,” which is the only day you can be really sure of. Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is uncertain. The only day when we can trust, love, and serve Jesus is today.

Why don’t you open your heart and pray today: “Lord, I give you all my yesterdays, all my tomorrows, and I give you this day! Lead me and guide me in the way I should go. Carry me as a shepherd would carry a lamb. Hold me and keep me close to you. I rest in your arms, Lord.”

He will do this! He will take the three gifts you give him: the regrets of your past, the uncertainty of your future, and today with whatever it brings. And he will give you wonderful gifts in return: his strength, his joy, and his comfort—comfort that will overflow to the comfort of others. Thank God for his indescribable gift!