Title: Gift For The Christ Child

Date: 2010-01-03

Reference: Matt. 2: 1-12

The Wise Men or Magi were a group of scholars who studied the stars. We believe they were from a priestly tribe in Persia. `They were men of holiness and wisdom, interpreters of dreams. The Magi believed a person’s destiny was influenced or even settled by the star under which he was born. They believed God announced special events through the stars. God gave them a special sign, a miraculous star that announced the birth of a King. The star led them to Jerusalem where God’s prophets told them the King would be born in Bethlehem. The Magi traveled to Bethlehem where they worshiped the child and presented him gifts.

Someone has said if God had sent three wise women rather than men they would have asked for directions. They would have arrived on time and helped deliver the baby. They would have cleaned the stable and made a casserole. They would have brought practical gifts.

We’re not even sure how many Magi there were. We do know these men were Gentiles, which is fitting, since from the very beginning, Jesus came to be Savior of the World. The Magi were wealthy scholars. The Bible tells us that “In Jesus Christ are hid all treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col. 2:3)

The Wise Men traveled a great distance to find the Savior. It may have been two years after Jesus’ birth that they actually arrived. They brought precious gifts, the best they had to offer to Jesus. When they found Jesus they fell down and worshiped him. We would do well to follow their example today.

Today we are aware that wise men and wise women still seek Jesus. Like the Magi of old we too bring the very best we have to offer as gifts to the Christ Child. We present our time, talents, skills, prayers, abilities, and gifts to Jesus.

We have just celebrated a season of gift giving. We have all shopped for and exchanged gifts over the Christmas Season. The loving careful thought behind each gift is an important part of the gift itself. The gifts we have received are valuable because someone we love cared enough to purchase or create the gift for us. The gift reminds us of someone we love.

People have had fun with gifts as well. I just read about a young man who loaned his house keys to a friend. The friend and 16 others came into the house and gift wrapped everything from sofa cushions to food in the refrigerator. At last count the man had spent 16 hours unwrapping and is still not finished.

At Christmas we have remember the very best and most valuable gift of all, the gift of God’s Son. For Jesus to be born in Bethlehem he had to give up more than we can possibly imagine. Jesus gave up the glories of heaven to be born in a stable. In giving up everything, Jesus gained us. What will we give up? What will we bring to the Christ Child?

The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were valuable gifts, gifts fit for a King. As valuable as those gifts were, the most valuable part of the Magi’s gift to Christ was the long journey to where he was and the devotion they offered to him. The long journey was part of the gift.



We have always known we give to Christ whenever we share with anyone who is struggling and who needs our help. Years ago in Appalachia, a young mountain boy heard an appeal for contributions to a group that provided gifts for unfortunate children who would otherwise go without Christmas gifts. The boy was moved at the thought of all those poor children. He struggled and saved and brought a handful of change to the school for this project. The boy’s teacher found it difficult to control his emotions as he accepted the gift. For this young man was one of the destitute kids listed to receive a Christmas gift.

We discussed levels of giving at our Promise Keeper’s group this last week. There is giving to the poor but with bad grace. There is giving with grace but not giving enough. There is giving enough but only after being asked to do so. There is giving without being asked. Giving without knowing who will benefit from the gift. Giving without the beneficiary of the gift knowing who is helping him. Finally giving as a means of allowing someone to escape poverty.

A wise man once said: “What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us. But what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal. “Someone else said: “We make a living by what we get out of life. But we make a life by what we give.” Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote: “It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life, that no one can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.” As Christians we give because we have received. We give in the name of the Christ Child. As we give we give to Him.

During the last month we’ve heard much about Saint Nicholas.

His legend has spanned seventeen centuries, across Europe, Asia, Africa and to America. This saintly man gave in the name of the Christ Child. As a wealthy young man he began training for the priesthood. In his home town a family had fallen on hard times. They barely had enough to each and the father couldn’t find work. He had three daughters who could not find husbands because they lacked dowries common in that culture and time. The father decided the only way to save his family was to actually sell his daughters into servitude. At least they would have enough to eat and a place to live.

Nicholas heard about the family and remembered Jesus’ teaching: “When you give to the poor don’t let one hand know what the other hand is doing. Rather give your gifts in secret.” Nicholas put several gold coins in a small bag and started out for the home of the father and three daughters. Inside the family was sleeping. He crept to the window reached through and dropped the gold bag which landed in a stocking that had been hung out to dry. The next morning the family found the gift which was enough to live on and provide a generous dowry for the oldest daughter. Nicholas repeated the gift twice more, and his act of generosity set him on the path to becoming the world’s most famous gift giver. After his death the memories of Nicholas and his generous spirit were not forgotten.

During the Middle Ages people began exchanging gifts on St. Nicholas day. Nuns began leaving nuts, cakes and other treats on the doorsteps of poor families on the eve of St. Nicholas Day. By the end of the 15th century more than 2500 churches, chapels, monasteries, and hospitals were dedicated to St. Nicholas. England alone had 400 Nicholas Churches. Certainly much legend has grown up around St. Nicholas.

The most important thing about his life is his willingness to give in the name of the Christ Child and in doing so leaving the world a better place in Jesus’ name.

We know it’s not just the gift but the spirit in which we give that is important. I just finished reading the book of Malachi in the Old Testament. Malachi is the last book in the Old Testament. The Lord used his prophet to judge gifts that were not given from the heart. Part of the book says: “I the Lord All Powerful have something to say to you. Children respect their fathers and servants respect their masters. I am your father and your master but you don’t respect me, you insult me. You embarrass me by offering worthless gifts on my altar. You offer animals that are blind, crippled or sick. Just try paying your taxes with such animals. I wish someone would lock the doors of my temple so you would stop wasting time building fire upon my altar. You are not giving from the heart.”

We have been blessed with a most precious gift from a loving God. A woman kept a beautiful quilt in a dresser drawer out of sight. This masterpiece was made by her grandmother for a wedding gift years before. When she was asked why she didn’t keep the quilt on her bed where she could enjoy it, she said: “Oh it’s too beautiful and nice to use.” I’m sure her grandmother would much rather have had her enjoy the gift rather than hiding it away for all those years. Again, in Christ, God gave us the most beautiful gift imaginable. We sometimes consider this gift too beautiful to use and we tuck it away.

We must remember that no one has ever been honored for what he received. Honor is a reward for what is given. The Magi sought Jesus. Today wise men and women still seek Him. The Magi came to worship.

Today wise people still worship Him. The Wise Men brought valuable gifts to Christ. Today we will be wise when we have sought, followed, found, worshiped, and shared. What would motivate these Magi to travel from their palaces to make such a long and dangerous journey? They must have considered it important enough to risk life and limb, time and energy, and a small fortune. The love of Jesus motivates us this day to risk and share all in the name of the Christ Child.