Sharing the Gift

Matthew 2:10

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

 

Have you ever stopped to think of why we give gifts at Christmas? I’m not a shopper nor am I very good at coming up with a gift idea so this time of year can become overwhelming to me. I spend a lot of effort thinking of ideas and it can become exhausting and burdensome. So the scripture that says you are more blessed to give then to receive doesn’t seem to fit in this circumstance for me. (Acts 20:35).  I can easily get distracted during Advent on all the wrong reasons and was beginning to feel this way when God gave me this scripture.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

The magi saw the star and rejoiced, not only rejoiced but rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. They knew Christ had been born. The Son of God was on earth, in their presence. They could go and meet Him and be in the presence of God. The greatest gift had been delivered. They took gifts with them, but that was not the point of their journey. They went to Him out of love, devotion, and respect for the new born King. They went to worship Him. Can you imagine standing in His presence in the holy kingdom of God? I don’t think we can fully appreciate the exceedingly great joy we will feel when the time comes for us to join Him. If we could, I think we would seek a completely different approach to Christmas. Not that gift giving is wrong. It was a part of the social culture of Christ’s time. The magi brought gifts that showed respect and honor to the King as well as gold to help the new family financially, but the focus and point of their journey was to receive the perfect gift.

The magi rejoiced when they saw the star because they had been given the way to Christ.  We all should rejoice in everything that will show us the way to Christ. The gift Christ gave us is an eternal life with him, in His perfect world and love. Among all the gifts you will give this season, don’t forget to share the greatest gift of all. Give someone else the opportunity to see the way to Christ and you will be more blessed to give then to receive. 

Grace and Peace,

LeAnn Jones