Introduction:
The annual Christmas season is one of the most celebrated holidays in the entire world, regardless of the demographic. And gift-giving is probably the highlight of the event. It is the very expression of the Christmas spirit– celebrating “togetherness” through cheerful giving.
But before Christmas became a worldwide event, Christmas and its spirit of giving all started in a small manger in Bethlehem, where three wise men traveled to meet a baby boy and give their gifts. And these are just not any gifts, especially for a stranger.
Main Key point #1:
A. The gifts of the three wise men on the birth of Jesus Christ are given with intention and meaning.
a. Gold - a symbol of wealth and value. Representing Jesus’ kingship (Daniel 7:13-14) Also, financial help for the family.
b. Frankincense - an aromatic resin used in incense and perfumes, usually burned in the temple as an offering to God (Leviticus 2:2). Symbolizing Jesus’ holiness or divinity (Colossians 2:9-10). Also, an oil to help with bleeding, and healing process, and anti-inflammatory.
c. Myrrh - called the anointing or embalming oil. It was a gift foreshadowing the death of Christ, as Nicodemus brought it on Jesus’ death(John 19:38-40). Also, used as a remedy for numerous infections.
The three wise men’s gifts were intentional and with meaning, pointing to the ultimate gift and helping the receiver. It illuminates the different aspects of Christ’s identity: He is king, he is God, and in his marvelous grace, he died, so that we may be saved.
This event where the three wise men gave their gifts freely to the family they met through faith, inspired the tradition that everybody looks forward to in every Christmas holiday. Unfortunately, the cheerful tradition of gift-giving was gradually felt as an obligatory burden. The focus shifted from what was needed, to what is wanted, from what the giver freely gives to what the receiver demands. Anything less than what the expectation is, is not fully appreciated, oftentimes, forgotten throughout time.
God gave us a gift, one that is an invaluable treasure that points to God’s ultimate gift and teachings that proves its holistic influence in every person’s life, so that it may help us, guide us, and encourage us in this life and for the life to come. That is His word–the Bible.
Key Text:
2 Timothy 2:16-17
“ All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
Main Keypoint #2: The importance of the Bible transcends all differences and the result of its proper use leads to a holistic positive change toward the life God wants for us.
There are 4 benefits of the Bible:
1. Bible is beneficial to learn doctrines.
a. Doctrine is the teaching found in the bible that makes us who we are as Christians.
b. It summarizes God’s active word determining our beliefs, how we live our lives, and how the church bears fruit and does its mission to lead ourselves and others to Christ.
c. Titus 1:1 speaks of how doctrine is vital for God’s elect. Without us, us being Christians would be unsure of which to go.
2. Bible is beneficial for rebuking.
a. Rebuking is needed to stop errors, especially on the important things in life, and if it’s the matter of life and death.
b. It is not necessarily negative, because it can start good change (Proverbs 27:5-6)
c. However, 1 Corinthians 16:14 says to “do everything in love”
3. Bible is beneficial for correction.
a. The bible doesn’t leave us wondering what we should do next but it tells us what we can do.
b. The book of Proverbs written by Solomon inspired many sayings we have today. (Ex: At your wit’s end Psalm 107:23-27; TO cast pearls before swine Matthew 7:6)
c. When we feel anxious feeling we are cornered on every side, the bible corrects us, encouraging us in Isaiah 41:10 to fear not, for God is with us; Jesus’ purpose on earth (Luke 5:32)
4. Bible is beneficial for instruction in righteousness.
? 1 John 2:29, 2 Timothy 2:22 gives some advice on how to live a righteous life.
a. Several U.S. presidents mention these about the Bible:
Thomas Jefferson “The Bible makes the best people in the world”
Abraham Lincoln “But for this Book, we could not know right from wrong. I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man.”
b. In the military, Douglas MacArthur said, “Believe me, sir, never a night goes by, be ever I so tired, but I read the Word of God before I go to bed”.
c. Scientists, like Sir Isaac Newton “We account the Scriptures of God to be the most sublime philosophy. I find more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history whatsoever.” Or Michael Faraday, “Why will people go astray when they have this blessed Book to guide them?”
Source: https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1070&context=owners_manual
d. Matthew 5:6 says “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
Application:
If you have been following the Pathfinder Program, you’ll know there is a part where we study the Bible in our classwork. Not only in the classwork but also participate in competition that is called “Bible Achievement” or “Pathfinder Bible Experience”. As our PBE Coordinator, Kelvin Wallin, has mentioned multiple times, “It isn’t about your team’s placement, it is about how you take in God’s words and wisdom.” In the past, I hardly read the Bible. Yes, though I was in the pathfinder program and reciting my memory verse every Sabbath Morning in Primary Class, I hardly read it. But recently, I’ve been reading scriptures here and there, finding some wisdom and guidance. The Bible is indeed a gift from God but it is also undervalued. So many times we say “let’s pray about it” because we don’t know what to do when in fact, God has left us instructions. And most of the time, we ignore those words because it isn’t something we like to read. It goes the same way with a parent and a child: the parent gives words of wisdom but the child doesn’t heed the parent’s warnings or teachings. God left His word for a reason. The Bible already gives us the future and past events. In fact, this is our instruction manual for our life. Everything we need in our everyday life is inside the gift He left us. Before diving head first into His word, begin to pray that God guides you to where you need to be spiritually, mentally, and physically. The moment you open His word, His gift to you, He is already giving you His words and wisdom.
