Links for today’s readings:
Read: Ezra 9 Listen: (3:19)
Read: Revelation 8 Listen: (2:15)
Scripture Focus: Matthew 2:9-12
9 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. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 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. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Revelation 8:3-4
3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense and the prayers of God’s people went up before God from the angel’s hand.
Reflection: What Did You Get Jesus for Christmas? — Joy of Advent
By Jon Polk
Ask any four-year-old what Christmas is all about and what do you think they’ll tell you?
Presents.
We like to say that exchanging gifts is inspired by the wise men from the east who visit the child Jesus and give him gifts.
There’s no evidence early Christians gave gifts to celebrate Jesus’ birth, in fact, gift-giving did not become a focus of the celebration until the 1800s. In 1820, Christmas-themed ads first appeared in newspapers and it wasn’t until 1867 that Macy’s department store stayed open until midnight on Christmas Eve for last-minute purchases.
Today, we have Black Friday and Cyber Monday and regular delivery trucks in our neighborhoods, and it may seem like gift-giving has gotten out of hand.
The wise men from the east traveled from as far away as Persia. Jesus was probably at least one, maybe two years old when they arrived bearing gifts.
The gifts they brought with them from their homelands — gold, frankincense and myrrh — were three expensive substances, not native to Israel, often imported at great expense.
You may have heard of the traditional interpretation of the three gifts: gold represents Jesus’ kingship, frankincense represents his priesthood, and myrrh pertains to Jesus’ death.
Throughout history, church leaders have further spiritualized the three gifts. For Gregory the Great, they corresponded to wisdom, prayer and the humiliation of the flesh. Martin Luther connected them with faith, love and hope. Others compared them to mercy, prayer and purity.
Most importantly, the three gifts indicate the high esteem with which the wise men revered the child and the honor they bestowed upon him as a King. These wise men from Persia had likely originally heard messianic prophecies from the descendants of Jews in captivity in Babylonia. Clearly, they came to worship and give honor to Jesus as King and Messiah.
If we were going to give Jesus a gift for Christmas this year, what would it be? If we follow the example of the wise men, it would need to be sacrificial. It will probably require our time, energy, or money. It should be prompted by our relationship with Jesus and rooted in worship.
Maybe more time in prayer, Bible study, or fellowship? Or kicking some habit that is holding back your spiritual growth? Perhaps being more attentive to your family or others around you? How about developing an attitude of gratitude and generosity?
What present will you give Jesus for Christmas this year?
Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting
My lips will sing with joy when I play to you, and so will my soul, which you have redeemed. — Psalm 71.23
– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.
Read more about Saccharine Joy — Joy of Advent
Our culture uses the word “joy,” but we do not know what it means.
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