There are all sorts of biblical and pseudo-christian cliches about why we give gifts at Christmas. This is undoubtedly the first example of gift giving at Christmas. Of course there is the old nativity play myth with the 3 kings in the stable with the shepherds, gathered around the manger of the Baby Jesus who is, at this point, just a few hours old. It is far more likely that they came at different times. The number of the Magi is unspecified. This would not be important were it not that we had the impression that it was three. The most obvious place that that assumption comes from is the fact that there are three gifts. This only becomes significant when we understand that the three gifts were presented not by individuals but rather all three gifts are given by the group of the Magi, meaning that they were a statement. These were gifts for a future king. These were a tribute, an acknowledgement of how special they deemed this child to be. I'd like to speak of 5 categories of gift in this blog and see what they meant then and what they mean now to us.
Gold
The gift of gold is symbolic of Kingship. In giving gold to Jesus the Magi were doing something quite subversive. The claim Messiah would have on Israel would be far superior to the claim Herod had. He knew it and much evil would come of his fear of losing power. If only he'd known what Kind of King Jesus was to be, he could have spared those children, he could have been saved himself.
So Jesus from his earliest days was recognised (in that an act of recognition had taken place) as a King, in the line of David. Quite a contrast to his actual circumstances. I wonder if, when Mary and Joseph related these things to him as he grew that this wasn't the cause of the forming of his true vision of the Kingdom of God.
What is our equivalent of "Gold giving" this Christmas?
- First it is a tribute, an acknowledgement of Jesus Kingship in our lives. He is first. As the ancient hymn says "Thou and Thou only, the first in my heart, High King of Heaven MY treasure, Thou art".
- Second is our wealth at his disposal. Our wealth (money and resources) to help those in need, to help with his work, to honor him in all our financial dealings.
The Gift of frankincense is symbolic of Worship. Matthew states that the purpose of the Magi's visit was worship. I find this a strange concept, of Worshipping a human being (although, of course I worship the same human as they do). I wonder how they arrived at this idea. Perhaps worship of kings was cultural. Many Kings have declared themselves divine. But this Boy born in a barn did not ask for worship and his circumstances certainly didn't invite it. But then they had travelled miles to see this child with this purpose in mind. I wonder if they found it a little disappointing, a little ordinary. I cannot imagine the baby did anything particularly entertaining and these men were not visitors in the maternity ward, come for a cuddle. They had come with higher purposes in mind. But still they worshipped. Their arts had told them that there was something different about this child and they bought their tribute....and they worshipped. I ponder, can we find cause for worship in the most ordinary of circumstances, things that though they may seem ordinary to others quite take our breath away. Christmas contains many such moments for me. In what can ways can we bring our Frankincense this Christmas?
- We can worship Jesus in the ordinariness of our lives, in thankfulness for all the small blessings we have, things that other, less fortunate people, would value more highly. Gratitude is the attitude.
- We worship in the way we conduct ourselves. In all things and people we should see opportunities for serving Christ. In giving kindness to people we Do it unto Him".
- Lose yourselves in the abandon of heartfelt worship of the King. Carols are an excellent vehicle for this.
Without doubt the strangest gift for them to give a baby. Myrrh was a spice used primarily for embalming the dead. I don't know a great deal about is but the symbolism is clear. There is a shadow of the cross cast over the manger. There is a deep bass note sounded softly in the background of this scene. Suffering will play a huge part of what this child has come to achieve. I think there is a little irony in the inclusion of myrrh, a side smile on the face of God. Of course it speaks of death But Jesus is one individual who will not be needing myrrh.
What does the gift of myrrh mean to us. In a strange way death to a christian is actually life. Paul says that "to live is Christ and to die is gain". We should carry around in our bodies, in a symbolic way, the death of Christ. In a way its a kind of spiritual death, a dying to self. The old king of self is dead clearing the throne for the new King of Christ. The King is dead, Long live the king. So how do we reflect the giving of myrrh in our tribute to Jesus this Christmas?
- We "die" to our selfishness, in our dealings with others and in our service of Christ.
- We sacrifice in our giving, in our words, preferring others.
- We wait patiently for the resurrection power, as though in the cool tomb, still before our wonderful King.
The other gift given in this scene is Jesus himself. He is Gods gift to us. It was unprompted, Freely offered and conceived in the heart of the eternal Father. Jesus was Gods perfect sacrifice given in our place. He was given as a payment for our own sins so that we do not have to face the disastrous eternal consequences. He is a gift to me in the way a lifeline cast from a ship is a gift to a drowning man. He is a gift to me in the same way a long cool drink of water is a gift to someone dying of thirst in a desert. Its a no-brainer to me. What do we need to do with such a gift? We receive it.
He is a gift in the sense that he will enrich your life in every way, that he will be a source of joy to you not just in this life but for all ages. he is a useful gift, a well of resources that you can draw upon whenever you chose.
Jesus is Gods gift of himself, to the world, as its saviour and as its king.
The Gift of You
I love the story of the Magi but I prefer the shepherds in a way. They do not come with offerings and riches, they come because they were called, they come to experience it and they bring only themselves. The carol "In the bleak mid-winter" the question and response are given "What can I give him? I will give my heart" That is what he wants after all, he made you, he loves you, he wants.....you.
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