December 23rd

December 23: Matthew 2:9-12

Matthew 2:9-12  (NIV)

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Reflection

The men from the East gave three gifts, each to speak to the identity of Jesus.

Gold: a gift worthy of a king.

Frankincense: a perfume used in worship,

Myrrh: a perfume used in burial.

Jesus is the King, worthy of praise, who died for our sins—King, Divine, Savior. This is why Jesus was born.

If you were to give a gift to Jesus this Christmas that represented his kingship, divinity and ability to save, what would it be?

In what ways is Jesus your King, your God or your Savior? Give thanks for these.

Prayer

God, the One who came to die for our sins, we give you thanks and praise for this most precious gift.