Christmas Eve Service:
Video Illustration: The Nativity from wingclips.com of the wise men giving gifts to baby Jesus.
Sermon: The gift of giving
Introduction:
The wise men gave gifts to Jesus in the Christmas story from Matthew 2:1-2 and 11. The practice of giving gifts at Christmas is traced back to this event in history. The presentation of these specific gifts to Jesus along with their long and perilous journey served as a wonderful example of what it means to give generously and sacrificially.
Over the next 2,000 years this example would become restructured and even distorted by mankind and the greed of the world. It would create a retail industry that was all about getting rather than giving.
Even before Christ was born there were gifts being exchanged throughout the Roman empire in honor of Saturnalia. The ancient customs of winter –solstice holidays pushed the custom of trading presents with others for the purpose of getting good fortune for the up and coming year.
During the first few centuries of Christianity the records reveal that most Christians continued to practice this tradition. When the fourth century rolled around and Dec. 25th became the chosen day to celebrate Jesus birthday the Solstice died out and Christmas took over its place.
The Romans continued to exchange gifts around the first of the year and Christmas gift giving progressed along a slow growth process. Christmas and Christians exchanging gifts would make a wonderful story but the truth is it never really took off or really became associated with Christ until 100’s of years later. Giving gifts for the New Years became the tradition rather than in honor of Christ and Christmas through the Dark ages and the Middle ages of society. It was not until certain events within Christianity happened that transformed the gift of giving in Christianity.
The first event was the rise of a man named St. Nicholas the bishop of Myra. The legend of Saint Nicholas speaks of him riding across the region of Asia Minor giving away gifts to poor children. This happened in the beginning of the 4th century and out of his true life story we have Santa Claus and Christmas Stockings arising as symbols of Christmas. He became so loved by many people that when he died on Dec. 9th many would exchange gifts in honor of this man of God’s generosity.
The sad fact is most of the European rulers after his death ignored the intent of his example and instead ordered their subjects to give them gifts or tributes at Christmas time. Instead of blessings the poor the rich ordered that they be revered and the poorest had to give gifts and tributes to the richest in the land. Of course this did not set well with the people and Christmas became a burden and not a blessing. The idea of exchanging gifts became frowned upon rather than embraced.
In the tenth century a Bohemian Duke named King Wenceslas reversed the process and instead of demanding gifts he gave gifts to his subjects instead.
The practice changed back to its original intent under the influence of Wenceslas and William the Conqueror.
During the era of the Reformation and under Martin Luther’s leadership they followed the examples of St. Nicholas and Wenceslas and began giving Christmas gifts anonymously. The practice of giving gifts secretly spread to the Dutch and Netherlands where they would leave hints for the kids where to find their gifts and the search would be on for hours. The excitement spread to other nations and cultures and became directly linked to the game of hide and seek and the giving of presents to kids on Christmas morning.
Today shoppers spend more than 4 billion dollars per Christmas shopping day, or about 2.8 million each minute, during the holiday season. The average person in the USA spends more than $1,000 on Christmas gifts according to a 2002 census.
While much of Christmas giving is distorted and misguided and excessive it can be used to teach our children about the real meaning of the holiday which is Jesus. The greatest gift you could ever get.
The Magi recognized that Jesus was the greatest gift to mankind and that’s why they presented him with specific gifts. They recognized his royal birth with the gifts.
T.S. - Let’s look at each gift and understand the significant meaning and message of each one:
I. The gift of Gold
a. Gold: The gift of gold was often reserved for royalty or kingship and to show their eternal value.
b. The Magi told King Herod that they had come to see the one born King of the Jews. It is clear that they recognized Jesus as being royal but the question is why? The reason is the star of Bethlehem. The Magi had seen the star and they recognized the importance of the star in the sky as a sign of a spectacular birth. The Magi brought gold in some form, whether it was jewelry, coins, or just pieces, we are not told. The importance of the gift was that it represented the fact that Jesus was of royal blood and lineage.
II. The gift Frankincense:
a. The gift of frankincense is somewhat unusual. Frankincense was a highly valued commodity and somewhat rare. The Jewish people had a common use for frankincense that was directly connected to the worship of God.
1. In the Temple, the Jews prayed before the Altar of Incense which was always kept burning. The substance burned on that altar was frankincense. When frankincense is burned it gives off a sweet smelling white smoke. The smoke rising from the altar of incense represented the prayers of the people rising to God in Heaven.
2. The only use of frankincense for Jews was at this altar and it was reserved for the worship of God.
3. It represents and revealed Jesus deity and God-ship.
b. The Magi presenting this gift to Jesus represents the fact that He was indeed divine – God in the flesh.
III. The gift of Myrrh
a. Myrrh: The gift of myrrh seems the most odd of the gifts!
1. Myrrh was extremely valuable and had a number of uses.
2. The most common use was a perfume. Sometimes myrrh might be used in the homes of the wealthy to create a pleasant fragrance but was normally reserved for special instances.
3. Myrrh was also used as anointing oil or embalming oil.
4. The major use of myrrh was for burials. Myrrh was placed on the cloths used to wrap bodies for burial to help prevent the smell of decay following death.
b. The Magi presented this gift to Jesus as a representation that He would one day die – be the ultimate sacrifice for His people.
1. The gift seems to convey the fact that Jesus was born to die for mankind.
Conclusion:
Dewitt states, “Though there are still many questions about the Magi that may be left unanswered, we can determine that they brought a fourth gift that is often forgotten by many. After they laid their treasures down before Mary and Joseph, they worshipped Jesus. (This is the 4th Gift – the Worship of the King of Kings) These wise men from afar came not just to court favor but to proclaim that they believed Him to be the King of kings. The greatest gift that we can offer to Jesus this Christmas is our praise and worship.”
We do this by giving him our hearts as we talked about yesterday!
The information above on the gifts to Jesus is adapted from David Dewitt http://www.helium.com/items/1258365-meaning-behind-the-gifts-of-the-wise-men.
The Bible presents us with the amazing story of Jesus birth – God’s gift to mankind – and we need to remind others that this is the real reason we celebrate Christmas. It’s more about receiving Christ the greatest gift of all and then giving a gift to others. The greatest gift we can God is our hearts.
When we are giving and receiving gifts at this time of the year we need to reflect and thank God for Jesus. The reason we exchange gifts in the first place!
Giving and receiving can also fulfill what Paul talks about in 2 Corinthians 8:7-8: 7But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 8I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.
Quote: Paul was talking to the churches who were giving him gifts (financial) so that he could keep on in the ministry. We can apply this same lesson to our own lives by giving to others, not just at Christmas, but year round!
Quote: So, can gift giving become the focus of Christmas instead of thanking the Lord for the gift of His Son (John 3:16)? Absolutely! Does giving gifts have to take away from the true meaning of Christmas? No, it does not. If we focus on the wonderful gift of salvation the Lord has given us (Isaiah 9:6), giving to others is a natural expression of that gratitude. The key is our focus. Is your focus on the gift, or on the ultimate gift-giver, our gracious Heavenly Father? "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights..." (James 1:17).
Let’s focus on the greatest gift of all also called the light of the world! And remember Jesus birth and his death! We need to thank him for His sacrifice which saved us from our sins and opened the door to God’s presence in our lives.
Communion:
1 Corinthians 11:23-29:
23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,
24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
25In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
27Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.
28A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.
29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.
Prayer over elements and give instructions on how this will work tonight!
Transition from Communion to candles”
Tell the story of Martin Luther and the candles on the Christmas tree:
The first candle lights on a Christmas tree:
Martin Luther was composing a sermon to preach at the Church, and so he was not noticing that he was dawdling, and it was getting very dark.
In the German woods in those days the forests were the homes of Wolves, Bears and Boar, so Martin was a little afraid, especially when the night sounds began. He hurried along, saying a prayer for comfort as he went. Then he looked up through the trees, tiny pricks of light, twinkling blue and silver. At first he was puzzled, then he realised – stars of course, lights from Heaven to guide and comfort. It was a star which led the wise men to the stable on that first Christmas. God’s light sent to guide us through the darkest night.
Martin thought that this was a splendid theme for his sermon, and, feeling bolder now he felt himself safe in God’s hands, he looked around for a small tree. This little fir tree he pulled up, and took home to his family.
In 17th century Germany, it was the custom to have a candelabra shaped in a sort of triangle. This held candles throughout the Christmas season. It was also the custom in many homes to have a Christmas tree, and often these were hung upside-down from the ceiling beams. They were not often decorated at all, just there as a reminder that the shape of the tree, triangular, represented the three Persons of God – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
Martin took home the little tree, but he did not hang it up on the beam. Instead he set it in a pot on the table. Then he took the candles from the candelabra, and fastened them to the little tree.
He them lit the candles, and as the flames flickered through the branches he gathered his family around the table and told them about his walk through the dark wood. Just as he was beginning to get really frightened, he said, he saw the stars twinkling encouragingly, as if God was saying “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you”.
“Gods light shines through the darkest night for everyone”, he said, “But sometimes we have to look up to see it”
Legend has it that this was the first time a candle was put on a Christmas tree. And that is why we still put lights on our Christmas Tree today, to remind us of Martin Luther’s sermon!
Maria Hubert
From the Christmas archives:http://www.christmasarchives.com
