Living in the Peace Zone: magi

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Sunday, January 5, 2020

This is Epiphany Sunday and I Had an Epiphany

An epiphany is an "ah-ha" moment – when a light comes on in our minds and we suddenly understand something. The original epiphany occurred when three “wise” kings saw a star like none other they had ever seen. This star led them to the Christ child. “Aha! This is the king we have been waiting for!”

I'll segue here for a personal moment. I wonder why God didn’t let a woman, with all our attention to details, give explicit facts about the story of the three kings, or is it three magi, or were they wise men? Only the disciple, Matthew, writes about the magi and he sure wasn't detail-oriented. He told us about the wise men visiting the Holy Family, but he left out the details of how long after Jesus was born did the wise men come? How far did they travel? How old was Jesus when they arrived? Where were they from? The East? Matthew, just East? How did they know to follow THAT star? Were there only three who came? One for each gift? Or were there more than that?

At my church today, I’ll be reading the passage in Isaiah 60 that prophecies this “LIGHT has come”. It says “Nations shall walk by Your Light." Isaiah prophecied that “caravans of camels shall fill you, all from Sheba bearing gold and frankincense and praises to the Lord.” So, Matthew, were there camel caravans that came to the Holy Family and not just three wise kings? C’mon Matthew! Details, we need details!”

Oh, but, I get it, Matthew! I have an “epiphany”! I have an aha moment. Matthew, you are a wise and articulate Gospel writer. You knew this story really wasn’t about the wise men. It was and IS about Jesus. What’s important isn’t the details about the wise men, it’s that God is here, among us, in human flesh and blood. God revealed this to the wise men, and He uses the wise men to reveal it now to us. Indeed they were WISE.

It's not that “wise men still seek him”, as the saying goes, It's not that we should seek signs from God in the stars, and not that we should travel great distances to get to Jesus. All those things are about the wise men, what they did; and about us, what we should do. To the Wise Men, their journey was about only one thing: Jesus. They came to fall down and worship Him. And why did they? For one reason only: God wanted them to know that their Savior had come. Not just the Savior of the world or the wise or of the good, but their Savior. That’s why He sent the star. And that’s why they fell down and worshipped him.

Epiphany comes to teach us again about our God. The one, true God. The only One who will not let us down, leave us, or fail us. The only One who keeps His Word and all His promises - even when that means being born as a baby and dying on a cross. The wise men had gods where they came from, so if just any god would do, why bother? And if any religion will do, why make the journey to Bethlehem? These wealthy wise men who seemed to have it all, knew they didn’t. They fell down and worshipped the One Who did. And Who could give them what they needed most. It didn’t matter that He was just a child. The Word made flesh was the gift that had come for them.

I will read and triumphantly declare an AHA – an Epiphany today! “Arise, shine, for your Light has come!”, said Isaiah. And this Light is for all people. For that’s what worship is -- not what we do for God, but what God does for us. In worship, we receive what we need. We come as sinners for forgiveness. We come unworthy to be made worthy. We come with doubts and fears and we hear His Word of promise and assurance. We come hungry and are fed by Him -- His own Body and Blood.

The wise men left wiser for they saw what no earthly learning could reveal to them -- their Savior. And they received what no earthly treasures could buy - eternal life. And so do you and I.
And that’s what Matthew wants us to know. The details about the wise men? Neh. Details aren't important. Epiphany, when the light goes on. The real Light - not just the Christmas lights that shine for a while, but the Light we need all year round. The Light in our darkness. The Light that changes everything. The Light of Jesus Who we worship anywhere and any time.

Maybe, just maybe, God will use you and I as one of His “wise men and women,” We get it. We really get Him, and we, too, fall down and worship Him.

Sunday, January 6, 2019

Have You Ever Had an Epiphany?

You know that sudden realization – that aha moment – when you suddenly understand the reality of something or the meaning of something. I've had many “epiphany” moments when I could see clearly what someone meant when that said "that" or when I’m reading passages from the Bible that I’ve read dozens of times before, but this time, I really understood it. It was a “revelation” -- a revealing – an epiphany! The lights came on!

Now, let's turn back time to the arrival of the Three Kings aka Magi aka Wise Men to the home of the Holy Family. This is Epiphany 101 -- the realization, aha moment, the revelation, the "epiphany" that the little baby boy that they were coming to worship is the Messiah, the Son of God. Were they "star" struck? Was there a glow around the child? Were there angels singing and little drummer boys playing and was Mary kneeling before Him in wonder and likewise, was Joseph just standing there gawking at his boy while hanging on to his shepherd's staff? Were all the animals lying down in a panoramic view of the holy scene? It's all debatable because theologians differ on whether it was at the manger or two years later at the Holy Family's home but one thing is for certain -- those men had studied the prophecies of the coming Messiah because they said, “We have seen His star in the East and were determined, by faith, to go and worship Him."

Today, January 6th is Epiphany Sunday and the 12th day of Christmas. It officially marks the end of the festive season of Christmas for Christians. That’s why so many of us wait until after this day to take down our Christmas decorations.

Epiphany is a Greek word which means “manifestation.” Today, we celebrate how God manifested His glory to the Magi. First, they saw THE star and chose to follow it all the way to Jesus. Second, when they found Jesus, besides offering “baby shower gifts” of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, they humbled themselves, knelt down and worshipped Him. And, third, the result of their offering and worship was they went home changed. Talk about getting a “return” on your investment!!

And this is how the “flow chart” of our lives should look. Every day we should be choosing to follow THE STAR -- following Jesus. That’s the choice we make on a daily basis – in our workplaces, homes, schools, and communities -- honoring and worshipping our King, our Messiah, the Great I Am. The Magi saw more than a star. They saw God incarnate – divine God and man and when we seek Him, we’ll find Him. It begs us to fall on our knees to worship Him in honor of Who He is and what He has done for us.

The Wise Men were changed forever. They never went back to King Herod and his ungodly ways. “Normal” was no longer an option. They had an EPIPHANY. They had seen the glory of God manifested in that little boy -- God wrapped in human flesh.

And, because we are also WISE men and women, who see, hear, go, worship and adore the Son of God, everything changes for us, too! How can we go back to our old ways and patterns and inconsistencies once we’ve had an EPIPHANY of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords in our lives?

Holy Spirit, please fill us up with the glory and manifestation of Jesus. May His glory change our way of thinking, acting, and helping others to have an EPIPHANY in their lives, too!

Saturday, December 29, 2018

I’m Still Under the Influence

Yesterday my grandson came over to help me get all my Christmas tubs back down so I can start reorganizing and filling them back up with all my Christmas treasures. But, this morning I’m still under the influence of Christmas and want it to last a little longer. Of course, my family tradition is to keep all the Christmas décor up until after Epiphany (January 6th) when the Magi came to the home of the Holy Family in Jerusalem so I’ll not use those tubs just yet.

I scanned the news headlines and was appalled by the rancor going on about our beautiful first lady. This time it was negativity about the shoes she wore while visiting the troops in Iraq! Lord, have mercy! I quickly shut down those stories because I felt a knot in my tummy! I was suddenly under the influence of the negativity of the world instead of under the influence of the love and light of Christmas.

In June 2017, I was blessed to go on a trip to the Holy Lands. It was a trip of a lifetime and during this wonderful time of the year the memories of so many holy places are stirred up within me. On the bus, as we made our way to Bethlehem, we sang "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem". The "littleness" was made real to us as Bethlehem really is a very small town. We celebrated "Christmas" in the Church of the Nativity. How meaningful it was to sing "Oh Come All Ye Faithful", receive Holy Communion and worship the King in the actual cave of Christ's birth.

Just think of it -- God, from the beginning of time Who created everything, was born in that cave. We were among many Christian pilgrims from around the world who came to pay tribute and honor to God for the birth of His Son there. Truly a STAR was born when Christ was born, and we made our way down to the grotto via narrow stairs to get inside the quiet cave where a star is embedded in the floor that recognizes the actual place of the birth of our Savior. In our deepest humility and thanksgiving for the Star of all Stars, we had to bend low to touch or kiss that star. "Bending low" seems the operative word for bowing before our Creator to give Him our worship and praise. It was a profoundly emotional and spiritual experience, to say the least -- the birthplace of our Savior over 2000 years ago. Our guide said, "Say thank You, Jesus, for my salvation!" We did.

Back to the start of this post and being “under the influence”. We have been "under the influence" of He Who is the originator of joy, peace, and love, so, of course, we are "high" on all that this beautiful season has held. At the announcement of Jesus' birth, the shepherds were under the influence of the angels. The magi were under the influence of HOPE and the Star they saw in the East. I, too, have been “under the influence” of this beautiful season where I heard God's voice in the music and in the lights shining so brightly and in my friends and family as we opened our hearts to His love.

No one has influenced and changed the world the way Jesus has done. And under His influence, more lives have been positively changed than by anyone else in history. People who encounter the risen Christ are totally transformed. Their outlook on life is altered forever. Many devote their lives to serving others, minimizing their own needs and desires -- all because of Christ's influence on them.

I don’t want to be counted among those who are under the influence of negativity and hatred and, quite frankly, the enemy of our souls. My desire is to always check out what, or WHO is influencing me. AND, what does MY influence look like in impacting others in a positive way? Perhaps it's time we all took a trip to the cave or stable. It just might be that we'll be influenced by the precious baby in the manger and we'll have a "STABLE" influence, not just in our own lives, but all those we influence, too.

Sunday, January 14, 2018

Here We Are to WORSHIP

Here I Am to Worship

My word of the day is: WORSHIP -- the feeling or expression of reverence, adoration, exaltation, honor for God (the dictionary says for a diety, but in my case – the only ONE who deserves WORSHIP is our ONE TRUE GOD).

This morning my Christmas season is officially over as I return home from caring for my two youngest grandsons in Austin while their Mom and Dad have been celebrating their annual “anniversary honeymoon” trip that takes place after Christmas each year. I’ve savored these precious times with my boys, but now it’s back to God and me in my everyday of life.

I can’t resist – just one more post about those very wise, Wise Men. Last Sunday was the celebration of the Epiphany of the Lord when they arrived at the Holy Family's home to WORSHIP the child-king. The final scriptures of the magi’s visit give us our basis for WORSHIP – my word for today. After they had WORSHIPPED the newborn King, “Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.” Matthew 2:12.

That verse has two great points: One, they had been WORSHIPPING the child-king and out of that intimacy, God spoke to them and revealed dangers up ahead. After all, King Herod’s plans were to kill all the little boys because he suspected one of them would take his throne. God looked out for the magi because they gave their best in WORSHIP to His Son.

What about us? When we go into that secret place with God and we honor Him by our WORSHIP, aren’t we being wise children, men and women of the Most High? God is no respecter of persons. Why wouldn’t He give us wisdom for our future and the dangers that could lie up ahead and why wouldn’t He instruct us to go another way instead of the way we had planned if our way proved to be dangerous, off course or even the longest route. Just think about the Hebrews wandering around in the desert for 40 years and in reality, it was only an 11-day trip (Dueteronomy 1:2) – had they stopped to spend more time WORSHIPPING than complaining?

The second point in Matthew 2:12 is the Wise Men did go a different way. What about the plans we make for ourselves – those goals, resolutions and plans? Proverbs 16:9 says “A man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” When we live a faith-filled life of trusting and WORSHIPING God, we can count on His wisdom and direction.

Psalm 37:23 says “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He delights in his way.” If the Wise Men had a dream that sent them another direction, we can be confident that if our plans are altered, it will be for our good and in our best interest to take that different path. Just maybe our plans are not God’s plans, and if we are willing to be tweaked, then like the Wise Men, we, too, will be wise enough to listen and walk in the steps He lays out for us. Imagine the pitfalls, detours, side roads and other off track places God could keep us from, as we surrender to follow Him.

Like the Wise Men, may we WORSHIP our King of all Kings, and then listen for His voice. After all He knows shortcuts and secret passageways to get us to where we need to go -- safe and sound. After all, Father KNOWS best!

Sunday, January 7, 2018

Epiphany – The Manifestation of the Lord

Epiphany – The Manifestation of the Lord

My word of the day is EPIPHANY.  Yesterday, January 6th (the day after the 12th day of Christmas), was actually Epiphany – which commemorates the revealing of Jesus as Christ to the Gentiles in the persons of the Magi and the baptism of Jesus.  But today is when the Church celebrates it.

I was watching the Chip and Joanna Gaines’ “Fixer Upper” show a few days ago and in it, Joanna said, “I had an EPIPHANY and we need to…..”  Chip said, “An EPIPHANY – what’s an EPIPHANY?” Jo said “I had a bright idea.”  And she was right.  EPIPHANY also means “a moment of sudden insight or understanding.  

So EPIPHANY is the magi’s “EPIPHANY” and I pray, it is our EPIPHANY (sudden insight and understanding) of WHO this Christ Child was and is to us today. 

I love those words we see posted: “Wise men (and women) still seek Him.”  It is an EPIPHANY when one soul seeks Him and finds Him. And when we find Him, we find more than we ever imagined. For in Jesus Christ, we find forgiveness, inward peace and joy, today, and the promises of life eternal tomorrow.

The Magi found Him as a young child with Mary His mother. By the way, they didn’t show up at the manger scene as all of our nativity sets display – though it sure adds to the beauty of our sets.  (See the ceramic one below that my sweet mother-in-law recently passed on to me that she painted many years ago.)   It took those magi almost two years to find “the child”, but they didn’t give up.  They were persistent and unwavering and so should we be.  When we find him today – He is the living Christ, clothed with glory and honor and seated at the right hand of His Father in heaven. He is there because He finished the work He came to do on earth. 

Of His coming, the Bible says, “He was made in the likeness of men: and… He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted Him… that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:7-11).  That certainly removes that little innocent, dependent, baby in the manger vision to one that describes our King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

It is so true that wise men AND women still seek Him and it is so wonderfully true that He still seeks us.  We hear a lot of talk about men searching for God and finding God.  But first, and foremost, our search is very much related to the fact that God first sought us.  In Luke 19:10 Jesus said, "...the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost."  And, shortly before His death, Jesus told his closest followers, during  the Last Supper, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide..." (John 15:16).  To me the most important truth in Christianity is that God loves us enough to seek us out even before we start trying to find Him -- whoever we may be. 

May the EPIPHANY of our Lord be revealed to you today.  The Babe of Bethlehem, Who is now our King of Kings, the Lord Jesus Christ, invites you to come into His royal family today.  He’s at your heart’s door, knocking, and asking if you would welcome Him in.   All we have to do is open the door, receive and take this priceless gift. Once we do, like those VERY wise men, we won't be able to help ourselves -- we will want to worship with everything we are and everything we have. 

Come into my heart.  Come into my heart.  Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.  Come in today.  Come in to stay.  Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.

Saturday, December 30, 2017

The Twelve Days of Christmas – MERRY CHRISTMAS!

TToday is December 30th – which means it’s the 6th day of Christmas.  A few days ago, upon my return home from Austin, I said in my post that I was going to start taking down my Christmas décor the next day.  The inspiration came when my Austin Family were heading out of town for several days and they wanted to come home to a back-to-normal atmosphere.  It would feel great for them not to face the de-Christmasing of their home upon return. We pitched in and succeeded!  

That was my plan, too, until my BFF, Sheila Michie, commented on my post "Enjoy all 12 days of Christmas -- today's only the 4th day!"   I checked out what she said, and it was true!!  We’re still in the 12 Days of Christmas!!  I quickly posted a retraction that I was holding off to savor in the flavors and favors of Christmas until the end of the 12 days.  Here is the result of my research: 

The "12 Days of Christmas" are the 12 days between Christmas Day, December 25th, the birth of Jesus, and January 6th, Epiphany -- the day Christians celebrate the arrival of the Magi (Wise Men) and the revelation of Christ as the Light of the world. 

During the 15th to 18th centuries in England, it was a crime to be Catholic and they were prohibited from any practice of their faith by law -- private or public. Anyone caught with religious books or writings would be severely punished -- imprisonment, hanging or a beheaded. The song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” was written during that time of religious persecution. It was a kind of secret summary and memory tool of the principles of Christian beliefs that could be sung in public without fear of arrest. 

In the song, the "true love" mentioned doesn't refer to an earthly lover.  It refers to the "True Love" of God the Father, the greatest Giver.  The “me” who receives the gift refers to all believers in Christ.  Christ is presented as a mother partridge who fakes injury to lure predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me..."  Matthew 23:37.

Each line in the song is a code word for a religious truth:

1. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus.

2. The two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments.

3. Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love.

4. The four calling birds are the four Gospels.

5. The five gold rings recall the Hebrew Torah (Law), or the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament.

6. The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.

7. The seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

8. The eight maids a-milking are the eight Beatitudes.

9. The nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.

10. The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.

11. Eleven pipers piping represent the eleven faithful Apostles.

12. Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed.

The Twelve Days of Christmas give us a reason to celebrate and exchange gifts.   This old-fashioned approach to gift-giving eventually gave way to today's practice of exchanging gifts on Christmas Day.

So, I'm back to breathing in the "Oh Holy Night" of Christmas for a few more days.  I'll bask in the 12 Days of Christmas – savoring the atmosphere as long as I can. I've resisted the urge to run out to the After-Christmas sales.  As a matter of fact, the cold weather beckons the fireplace to be blazing, wearing the cozy attire and staying inside to experience THE Presence of Emmanuel -- God with us.  I'm having a loving affair with the Lover in the song, and the Partridge in the Pear Tree.  I'm journaling, reading, and embracing the moments, while preparing for a new year of serving, loving and giving.  I pray that you, too, are experiencing Christmas peace and joy a few more days. 

In the words of Paul Harvey…..”and now you know the REST of the STORY!"    You’re welcome!

Sunday, January 8, 2017

Celebrating Epiphany -- The Wise Men Showed Up to Worship

Epiphany, or the 12th day of Christmas, falls on January 6th (but celebrating on the closest Sunday -- today, the 8th) and it marks the official end to the wonderful season of Christmas. That’s why so many of us wait until after this day to take down our Christmas decorations. Epiphany means manifestation of God in His Son as human in Jesus Christ. It marks a visit to the baby Jesus by the Three Kings, or Wise Men.

Most manger scenes include those three wise men, but, in reality, the wise men didn't even actually appear until about two years after Christmas. Tradition has led us to assume many things about these men that the Bible doesn't tell us. For one, they're referred to as “kings,” which is probably not accurate. To call them wise is probably fair, as the mostly likely possibility is that these men were astrologers and the Bible doesn't give the number of men. All we know for sure is that they brought three gifts on their long journey from the East.

These men had seen a very unusual star that signaled to them the birth of divine royalty. So, like captains charting a course by the stars in the middle of the vast ocean, these men set off to “follow” the star. Their journey brought them to Judea. And assuming that the star indicated a birth in the house of the ruler, they went first to King Herod's home.“Where is the King of the Jews?” they asked Herod. That question was the beginning of Jesus’ troubles. Herod didn’t like the question, because he WAS the King of the Jews, and the fact that it was being asked by some foreigners who had journeyed from a distant country was even more troubling to the king. The thought that there was a rival to his throne was terribly disturbing for him.

So we get the sense that a plan began to form in Herod’s head. But first, he needed to know where this newborn King of the Jews was. Herod sent the men out to find the baby, then to report back where he was. So the men go, continuing to follow the star that had led them there to Judea. And sure enough, it led them right to the doorsteps of the home of Mary, Joseph and their child Jesus.
Reader’s Digest once posed the question “What if God had called 3 Wise Women instead of 3 Wise Men? If 3 women.....

1. They would have asked for directions to the stable instead of going to King Herod.
2. They would have arrived on time and helped deliver the baby.
3. They would have cleaned the stable and brought practical food for the family to eat – like a casserole.
4. And there would have been peace on earth!”
LOL!

Back to this intriguing story. Matthew 2:11 says that immediately upon entering the house, the wise men knew they were in the presence of the most wonderful king to ever been born. They fell to their knees to honor and worship Him, and they offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Not such practical gifts, like a casserole or diapers for a year, but most definitely...valuable gifts. A gold brick in today’s time is worth about $485,000 and in that day it would have probably been even more valuable. Those gifts probably sustained the Holy Family for many years to come. Now that's what I call "a baby shower"!

Those wise men brought gifts to Jesus, but Jesus gave them, and us, back so much more -- an even greater gift. He came here to this earth ON PURPOSE. He became one of us so that He could GIVE to us the gift of a “PAID IN FULL” bill. He gave us the gift of forgiveness and a pardon from ever having to pay for the mistakes we make. He gave His ALL!

All we have to do is receive and take the gift. And once we do, we won't be able to help ourselves -- we will want to give back to Him in worship with everything we are and everything we have. We honor and worship Him. When we experience His love, like the Wise Men, we MUST give and we MUST worship Him, not because we’re required or have to, but because we want to honor, adore and worship our KING of all KINGS!

Friday, December 18, 2015

The World Needs a STABLE Influence

Day 353 of Photo Inspirations -- The World Needs a STABLE Influence
The phrase, "under the influence", is typically used in defining someone's mental or physical faculties that are impaired because they are intoxicated or on drugs.

But, I heard that phrase used yesterday to describe those of us who are "high" on the Christmas spirit. I like that. We are "under the influence" of He Who is the originator of joy, peace, and love so, of course, we are "high" on all that this beautiful season holds.

At the announcement of Jesus' birth, the shepherds were under the influence of the angels. The magi were under the influence of HOPE and the Star they saw in the East. I, too, am UNDER THE INFLUENCE of this beautiful season where I hear God's voice in the music, the bells ringing, and the squeals and delights of children. I see Him in in the lights shining so brightly and in my friends and family as we open our hearts to His love. I smell Him in the sweet aromas of holly, evergreen, cinnamon and spice. I taste Him in the sweet and yummy delicacies of fresh baked cookies and treats. I am UNDER THE INFLUENCE of the REASON for this beautiful SEASON, when I hold a friend's hand, when I touch a pine cone or garland or tinsel or wrapping paper, when I write a love note to a friend when I send them a Christmas card.

No one has influenced and changed the world the way Jesus has. And UNDER HIS INFLUENCE, more lives have been positively changed than by anything or anyone else in history. No other great leader has inspired so many positive changes in the lives of his followers. People who encounter the risen Christ are totally transformed. Their outlook on life is altered forever. Staying true to their faith, they face hardship, persecution and even death with resilience and determination. Many devote their lives to serving others, minimizing their own needs and desires -- all because of Christ's influence on them.

Not in the Christmas spirit this year? Then, better check out what, or WHO, is influencing you. AND, what does YOUR influence look like in impacting others in a positive way? Perhaps it's time we all took a trip to the stable -- it just might be that we'll be influenced by the precious baby in the manger and we'll have a "STABLE" influence, not just in our own lives, but all those we influence, too.

Friday, December 26, 2014

They Gave....Then Bowed Down and Worshipped Him

"On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him."

The Magi (Wise Men) worshipped -- and brought very costly gifts to the newborn King. The gifts were gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Not such practical gifts, but most definitely...valuable gifts.

A gold brick in today’s time is worth about $485,000. In the time of Christ, it would have probably been even more valuable. The spices (frankincense and myrrh) were also very valuable, and costly. Those gifts probably sustained the Holy Family for many years to come.

Love gives. "For God SO LOVED the world that He GAVE His only Son...." John 3:16. That's what God does. He gives. When we love, we give. We just can't help ourselves. He demonstrated His love. We demonstrate our love.

Oh, how I loved GIVING to my children and, especially, my grandchildren, this Christmas. Watching their faces light up with anticipation of what was inside that wrapping, was my delight. And seeing their sweet beaming faces as I opened my gifts from them.

And, isn't that joyful nature of giving and receiving straight from God's heart? A group of wise men once travelled far and long (two years) to give young Jesus some gifts.
.
But Jesus gave them, and us, back so much more -- an even greater gift. He came here to this earth ON PURPOSE -- to give to us the gift of a clean slate before God. He gave us the gift of forgiveness and a pardon from ever having to pay for the mistakes we make.

All we have to do is receive and take the gift. And once we do, we won't be able to help ourselves -- we will want to give back to Him in worship with everything we are and everything we have. We honor Him and worship Him. When we experience His love, like the Maji,we MUST give and we MUST worship Him.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

We Can't Help It -- We Must Give -- We Must Worship

"On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him." The Magi (Wise Men) worshipped -- and brought very costly gifts to the newborn King. The gifts were gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Not such practical gifts, but most definitely...valuable gifts.

A gold brick in today’s time is worth about $485,000. In the time of Christ, it would have probably been even more valuable. The spices (frankincense and myrrh) were also very valuable, and costly. Those gifts probably sustained the Holy Family for many years to come.

Love gives. "For God SO LOVED the world that He GAVE His only Son...." John 3:16. That's what God does. He gives. When we love, we give. We just can't help ourselves. He demonstrated His love. We demonstrate our love.

A few nights ago, my Texas Wallace family and I had our early Christmas together. I loved seeing my children and grandchildren's faces as they eagerly opened their gifts from Nana. And, I loved the squeals of my granddaughter as she opened the onesie pj's she had hoped for. And my grandson, as he opened his "survival tools" from his gift list that he made for Nana. He was over-joyed.

And, isn't that joyful nature of giving and receiving straight from God's heart? A group of wise men once travelled far and long (two years) to give young Jesus some gifts.
.
But Jesus gave them, and us, back so much more -- an even greater gift. He gave us the gift of a clean slate before God. He gave us the gift of forgiveness and a pardon from ever having to pay for the mistakes we made.

All we have to do is receive and take the gift. And once we do, we won't be able to help ourselves -- we will want to give back to Him in worship with everything we are and everything we have. We honor Him and worship Him. When we experience His love, we can’t help to be like the Magi -- we MUST give and we MUST worship Him.

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