"Bring Your Best Gift, Time"
- Rita Larson
- Dec 12, 2023
- 3 min read
The Christmas season is a time of celebration and reflection. It is a time to remember the birth of Jesus Christ and to reflect on His incredible gift of life. I love reading and rereading the birth of Christ as it unfolds in the Bible. Being in Israel a few months ago really makes it come to life as the scene unfolds. I have been thinking about the gifts given by the wise men - gold, frankincense, and myrrh - and the significance behind those gifts.
The Bible tells us that the wise men brought these three gifts to the newborn King. Gold was a symbol of royalty and was used to represent Jesus’ kingship and authority. Frankincense was used in religious ceremonies to honor a deity, and the wise men’s offering of it was a recognition of Jesus’ divine nature. Myrrh was used for medicinal and anointing purposes as well as prepping the deceased for burial, foreshadowing Jesus’ death and resurrection.
The bearing of these gifts is a reminder to us of the value of giving. Giving does not always mean material possessions, but also means giving of ourselves. We can give our own gifts to our Heavenly Father. He does not want our material possessions. He wants the gift of you, your surrender to Him. Our time is precious to God - and our time spent in building a relationship with Him by devoting time to Him is one of the greatest gifts we can give Him.
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus tells us: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” We need to prioritize our relationship with God. When we give Him our time and attention, He will take care of the rest. When we switch our focus from material things to the spiritual - we cultivate a deeper relationship with Him. Christmas is a time for us to reflect on the true gifts we can give to our Heavenly Father. In Matthew 2:11, the Wise Men bring their gifts to the newborn King as an act of worship and adoration. We can give our Heavenly Father gifts of worship as well, such as our time, devotion, and praise. We can totally surrender to Him and give Him our hearts and our lives as we seek to honor Him in all that we do.
The Christmas season is a special time of the year for us to remember the birth of Jesus and to give our best gifts to our Heavenly Father. We can give Him the gift of our time, communing with Him and praising Him for His goodness and mercy. We can give Him our lives, devoted to seeking and serving Him. As we celebrate Christmas this year, let us remember to give our best gifts to our Heavenly Father.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, as we enter into this Christmas season, we come before you with hearts filled with excitement and gratitude. We are in awe of the precious gift you have given us in your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for sending Him into the world on Christmas day, so that we may have everlasting life and a personal relationship with you. Lord, as we surrender our lives unto you, we invite the Holy Spirit to fill us and use us as vessels for your glory.
Father, in this season of giving, we want to bring our best gifts to you. We recognize that the greatest gift we can offer is the gift of our time. Help us to prioritize our relationship with you above all else. May we invest in building a deeper connection with you, spending time in your presence, reading your Word, and seeking your guidance. Lord, we want to be fully committed to you and your purposes. Show us opportunities to serve others and share your love with those around us.
As we journey through this Christmas season, we know that there may be distractions and interruptions along the way. But we ask for your strength and guidance to remain focused on you. Help us to see each interruption as an opportunity to demonstrate your love and grace. May our lives be a reflection of your goodness and mercy. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen. ©Rita Larson 12/12/2023
Song of the Day:
Comments