What Will We Give Jesus For Christmas?

WHAT WILL WE GIVE JESUS AT CHRISTMAS? MATT. 2:1-12

Well it’s Christmas time again, the time when we see all the decorations, and people are putting their trees up with all the beautiful lights, people are running frantically here and there trying to find gifts for friends and loved ones that will express their feelings and relationship toward one another.

And personally I have no problem with all this; I, like most folk enjoy the season.

But I’m afraid that the real meaning and truth to do with this wonderful time is in a lot of cases over looked.

And that is, the reason for the season is to recognize and remember the birth of our wonderful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I want you to read along with me or listen as I read the account of the wise men in Matt. 2:1-12

1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea* [there was also a Bethlehem of Zebulon--Joshua 19:15-16] in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2Saying, ”Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”

3When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

5And they said unto him, “In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, [Micah 5:1]

6And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.”

7Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

8And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.”

9When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. –{Lets be sure and notice that when they saw the young child with Mary His mother, they fell down and worshiped Him. If ever there was a time when Mary should have been worshiped, this was it. But they didn’t worship her—they were wise men! They worshiped Him and presented to Him their treasures: gold and frankincense and myrrh.}

And also along this thought we read the record of His birth in Luke 1: as the messenger Angel Gabriel say to Mary- Luke 1: 28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Notice; “among”, not above.

And if Mary was here now she would be the first to say Amen!

12And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

So we believe the idea of gift giving originated with these wise men from the East (the area of Iraq and Iran)

Finding Him they presented Him with gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. The gifts of these wise men had a great meaning, for these gifts,{ Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh} tell us much about Who Jesus is.

Let me say here before we go any further, we’ve all heard the songs and the stories about the 3 wise men from the east to do with the Christmas story, well as most of us realize that no one really knows how many wise men there was, but we can rest assured it was way yonder more than 3.

I suppose where the number 3 came to mind was because the wise men brought 3 gifts.

They gave a gift that honored Him as King of kings and Lord of lords.

They gave him a gift of Gold; Gold has always been seen as a symbol of great wealth and power. It’s valuable, and recognized so across all cultures and times. It’s a gift fit for royalty.

It is a fitting gift, for Jesus Christ is the Supreme Sovereign.

Philippians 2:9-11 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.