Gift giving easily descends from fulfilling wishes to frustration as generosity diminishes and grumbling becomes the norm. There’s wisdom in looking back to a time of wholehearted Christmas giving. Are we willing to give our very best this Christmas?

Wise men brought gifts to the new born King.

"Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11 HCSB)."

Their gift of gold was a gift worthy of a king; while priests used frankincense as incense in temple worship. The wise men knew the reality of the brevity of life and that one day mourners would use myrrh to anoint the King of the Jews dead body.

Nicodemus did just that…

"Nicodemus (who had previously come to Him at night) also came, bringing a mixture of about 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes. Then they took Jesus' body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the aromatic spices, according to the burial custom of the Jews (John 19:39-40 HCSB)."

Faith in Jesus led to heartfelt love. Nicodemus demonstrated his faith through offerings of myrrh as an act of worship.

Wise men (as well as women and children) are giving Christ the gift of worship.

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him (Matthew 2:1-2 HCSB).”

Published articles in Mature Living Magazine, Devotions for the Deaf, The Secret Place, Coosa Journal, Mary Hollingsworth's The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter, Jo Krueger's Every Day in God's Word. http://www.pamforddavis.com
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