Lesson 2: Christmas

Pastor’s Bible Class

Thomas Road Baptist Church

Christmas Gifts

Dr. Elmer Towns

Lesson 2

December 14, 2008

A. MATTHEW 2:1-12

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.’ When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.’ When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.”

B. WHAT IS A GIFT? WHY DO WE GIVE GIFTS?

1. To show love or appreciation to the recipient, i.e., to add love to someone’s life. The power of bestowment to make the recipient rich, or honored, or special.

2. To value or approve the recipient. What is valued by the giver becomes valuable by the recipient.

3. To bind or hold two people together, i.e., “to wrap up” relationship.

C. WHAT GIFTS DID THEY BRING?

“They opened their treasures, they presented gifts to him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (2:11).

1. Gold, monetary value, i.e., a measure of trade. They gave to Jesus their power or possessions.

2. Frankincense comes from Persia (Iran), India, or Arabia. Means “whiteness,” comes from the gum of the tree. The tree is “wounded” to gather its gum, used as perfume and medicine.

3. Myrrh, it was used to soothe muscles and wounds. Used to embalm bodies. Burned to eliminate pests. The molecular structure is blues, greens, i.e., cooling color, i.e., gentleness.

Gold to honor the King

Frankincense to worship the King

Myrrh to identify with pain and sorrow of the King

4. Why did they bring these gifts?

a. They were ordinary or expected gifts for a king.

b. They were symbolic or prophetic. Gold for Christ rules on earth, frankincense for worship, and myrrh symbolizing His sufferings and death.

5. The source of their pilgrimage, the Star of Prediction.

a. They knew the Old Testament prediction. “There shall come a star out of Jacob, and the scepter shall rise out of Israel” (Num. 24:17).

b. They came from the east (v. 1). “The star which they had seen in the east” (v. 9).

c. The star reappeared. “Once again the star appeared to them” (v. 9, LB).

d. The star travelled. “It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was” (v. 9, LB).

e. The star produced joy. “When they saw the star they were filled with joy” (v. 10, LB).

f. Name. The Eastern Star, the Bethlehem Star, the Christmas Star, His Star.

D. WHO WERE THE MAGI?

1. The word “wisemen” is Magi in the original language. A priestly caste of Zoroastrianism, they studied the stars. They had embryonic faith to believe and act on the little they knew of the Scriptures. Principle: information about the star didn’t save them, worshipping Jesus did.

2. Their names: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar.

3. From three different nations they came together following the star. Brought different gifts from their nations.

4. Some believe they were kings (Hymns) because of prophetic scriptures. “Nations will come to Your light, and kings to the brightness of your light” (Isa. 60:3). “The kings . . . will bring tributes to Him” (Ps. 72:16). “Kings will bring you gifts” (Psa. 68:29).

E. WHERE WAS THE CHILD BORN?

1. Why did the wisemen go to King Herod?

a. Political correctness.