The wise men opened their treasures and presented the Christ child with
gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Gift giving is a key aspect of Christmas. We spend hours making lists, searching out the “just right” gift, wrapping up gifts … to express our love to friends and family.
The apostle Paul writes, But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. … For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:7,9)
Giving always starts with grace! My pastor once said “Grace enlarges the heart!”
Does that ring a bell? Think about the Grinch in How the Grinch Stole Christmas …
And what happened then? Well, in Whoville they say that the
Grinch’s small heart grew three sizes that day.
The Grinch’s heart was enlarged! Our hearts are made large by love, service, and hope! As the heart becomes less entangled with the “stuff” of this world and is more and more turned towards God … our generosity increases! God gives grace … and His grace enlarges our heart … freeing it to excel in giving!
The Wise Men brought gifts fitting for a king … what gift are you bringing to the Christ Child?
“What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part.
Yet what can I give Him?
Give my heart.”
(Rossetti)
