Thursday, December 19, 2024

Listen to the Word

On coming to the house, (the Magi) saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.   (Matthew 2:11)

The magi are different from all the other characters we have encountered in the Christmas story. They are people of wealth, able to make an extended journey and give gifts worth much more than most of the clothes, toys, and gadgets under your tree. They are people of influence, able to be granted an audience with King Herod. They are people of intellect, able to discern the significance of a change in the night sky.

It is not every day that you see a group of wealthy, influential intellectuals on their knees worshipping a toddler. Would you agree that is a little unusual? But it is not every day you learn that a little child is God in the flesh coming to rescue us! When the King of kings is born, you drop everything and go to him. When the King of kings is born, you spare no expense to bless him. When the King of kings is born, you travel as far as you have to to get to him. When the King of kings is born, you forget about what anybody else might say and you fall on your face and worship him.

Live the Word

What "treasure" can you give Jesus as a birthday present this year? Ask him to show you what gift of your time, talent, or resources he would like to receive, and commit to give it to him.