“They Presented Gifts” (Matthew2:11)

“They Presented Gifts” (Matthew2:11)There are all kinds of gifts, like:

  • The “just because I can” gift.
  • The surprise gift.
  • The “You are worth it!” gift.
  • The “I want to spoil you” gift.
  • The “I want to honor you” gift.
  • The reciprocal gift.
  • The obligatory, “can’t leave him/her out” gift.
  • The gift for the occasion, like birthdays, weddings, graduations, etc.
  • The gift that totally helps.
  • The gift at the perfect time.
  • The “stupid” gift that makes you laugh.
  • The creative gift.
  • The “love you” gift.
  • The monetary gift.
  • The thoughtful gift.
  • The gift given at the perfect time.
  • The sacrificial gift.
  • The practical gift.
  • The re-gifted gift.
  • The inspiring gift.
  • The gift of time, skills, help - of self.
  • The gift of listening, caring.
  • The “WOW!” gift.
  • The “No Way! You’ve got to be kidding” gift.
  • The perfect gift.

Christmas, the celebration of God giving himself through the incarnation of his Son, Jesus Christ, is the “indescribable gift” (2 Cor 9:15). Then of course there is young Mary giving her entire life to God to use it as He sees fit (Luke 1:38). The Motel manager usually gets a bad rap, but somehow he just didn’t have the heart to turn away a highly pregnant woman, even though he had zero vacancies, and quickly made a spot in the storage shed out back so they would have at least a dry roof over their heads (Luke 2:7, a very liberal paraphrase). We certainly know about the wise men’s gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These were extravagant gifts for a carpenter’s family, but then they were gifts meant to honor a king. No, these wise men did not go cheap, but maybe they should have listened to their wives on the practicality. Gold is okay, because it is like cash, and cash can be very practical. But myrrh for a baby king? That wise fellow should have listened to his wife and bought that two-year supply of diapers along with a weekly massage for the mom. Frankincense certainly hit the nail on the head in terms of Jesus being God and worthy of worship, but maybe he too should have gotten some baby king gift ideas, like maybe gold plated Tonka trucks. Finally, those shepherds (Luke 2:1-17) who came to the storage shed behind the motel. As far as we know no gifts were exchanged, except that they showed up in the middle of the night to rejoice with a lonely, worried, and exhausted young couple who just had their first child.We are capable of giving terrific, extraordinary, and even extravagant gifts that have an impact and make a difference. Especially when we engage our minds, our hearts, and strive to emulate the greatest giver of all, God, who in Christ wrapped up the most perfect, most holy, most loving, and most needed gift and gave him to us for a Savior.Merry Christmas. Love you, Pastor Hans