December 2010

Q-What do you give to a man who has everything?’

A-A burglar alarm!’

 It’s not easy buying Christmas presents for others, especially in times of economic uncertainty. However, let’s not forget the greatest gift ever given: Jesus Christ. Our gifts at Christmas mean very little unless they point at the greatest gift of all. This was certainly true of the gifts given to Jesus by the Magi.

 Who is he? Gold is a gift fit for a king. In Jesus we see a king in baby clothes. The worship of the wise men was costly, not only in terms of their gifts but also for their lives.

What did he come to do? Frankincense was used by the priests in the temple as part of the sacrificial system. Jesus, as the ultimate priest, is the one who came to bring God and man together in reconciliation. He can do this because he is both divine and human.

What did it cost him? Myrrh was used to embalm the dead. This gift reminds us that the baby of Bethlehem would die on the cross to give his life for us.  

The wise men offered him expensive gifts; what are we going to offer him this Christmas? Jesus is for us:

• the Christ, the king who came to rule us and take care of everything.
• the Lord, who’s not just a person like me but he’s God as well.
• the Saviour, the one who came so that we can be reconciled to God.

 Simon