A Christ-Centered Christmas Doesn't Have to Be HardSample

The Magi’s Gift of Frankincense

The Magi’s gifts to baby Jesus some 2,000 years ago represent ways in which we can honor God.

You will recall that gold, frankincense, and myrrh (gifts brought to Jesus) were all used in the construction of the tabernacle, God’s dwelling place among His people. Today, God dwells within every Christian.

In the last devotion, gold was our focus. Now let’s look at the original purpose for frankincense as it pertained to the tabernacle. According to my NIV Life Application Bible notes:

“Frankincense was part of a special blend of incense burned in shallow dishes called censers. The incense represented the Israelites’ prayers being lifted up to God. This particular sweet-smelling blend of incense was so holy that the Israelites were strictly forbidden to copy it for personal use.”

Represented by frankincense, the second gift we can offer to God is our prayers. God loves us so much that He truly desires us to fellowship with Him.

Fellowship with God is accomplished through prayer. Although there are no absolute mandates for how to approach God in prayer, Jesus does give us some helpful guidelines.

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like the pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one’” (Matthew 6:5-13).

The prayer Jesus prays in this passage is given as a reference and guideline for our prayers. We do not need to say these exact words, but the pattern within the prayer is meant to help us have a more meaningful and effective prayer life.

God wants us to seek Him with all our heart and pray to Him; we also need to give God a chance to speak to us. God speaks to us through His Word.

I challenge you to open His Word and see what He has to say to you. God desires a close, personal relationship with each of us. Everyone knows the importance of communication in relationships. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father is certainly no exception. Not just during the Christmas season, but the whole year through, let us honor God with our prayers.

Personal Reflection

• What does your current prayer life look like? Do you pray regularly?
• If so, do you give God an opportunity to speak to you as well?

Prayer

Lord, I know how important prayer is in my relationship with you. Help me to not only set aside a time of prayer, but to also establish ongoing conversations with you throughout each day. Amen.