Advent blog – Christmas Eve

We made it! The last thought before Christmas morning. If you have enjoyed the series then please do contact me and let me know what you found enjoyable and helpful.

As we will be opening presents tomorrow, let’s finish with the gifts the wise men brought.

When at last they had found the Christ, they bowed down and worshipped him. They presented him with gifts. To be truly wise is to recognise that it is not enough to discover who Christ is or even what he had done. We also need to give ourselves to him in faith and worship. With their gifts the wise men gave:

A Gift Worthy of His Lordship – Gold 

Gold has obvious worth. It is a gift fit for royalty. God deserves the very best that we can bring in our hands and hearts.

A Gift Worthy of His Holiness – Frankincense 

Frankincense is mentioned 17 times in the Bible. It was used as one of four sweet scents mixed together to make the ceremonial incense of the Jews. It was used in both sacrifices and prayer. Its aroma was always present in the Temple grounds. So frankincense symbolised  praise and worship of Christ as the Holy One of God 

A Gift Worthy of His Sacrifice – Myrrh 

Myrrh is an aromatic gum resin obtained from several trees and shrubs found in both northern Africa and throughout the entire East. Myrrh was used in Egypt in the embalming process of mummification. There are 22 references to myrrh in the Bible. Myrrh was used to anoint every part of the tabernacle in the wilderness. It was myrrh that was poured out on the feet of Jesus just a week before his death. How prophetic to have myrrh as one of the gifts presented to him at his birth – this child was born to die.