Reading: Matthew 2:9, 11
On entering the house, [the wise men] saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. How do you imagine the three wise men decided on those particular gifts to offer? Do you suppose these were the usual baby presents or do you think the wise men decided what their offerings would be after much thought, prayer and discussion together?
What about you? When you offer a gift, is it “the usual”–the same two, five, or ten dollars you’ve always put into the basket–or is your gift the product of thoughtful, prayerful discussion and decision? We all know something is “the usual” when it would feel a little odd to do something new. But doing something new is what God is all about–God makes all things new (Revelation 21:5).
And so, let’s put away “the usual” and do something new. Let’s prayerfully discuss and decide together what our offerings should be, just as the Magi did before they gave so generously to the infant Christ.
This message is an excerpt from a monthly devotional by Audrey Novak Riley. Read it here. Today Nativity of Our Lord (II and III), Christmas Day.
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