Three Gifts in the New Year
Taking down Christmas decorations is not nearly as fun as putting them up. Do you purge outdated decorations and organize bins? Clean-up is more of a sigh than the “aha” at lighting the tree. I’m all for having my house back in order by New Year’s Day- especially this past year when my tree was up before Thanksgiving. Not everyone thinks that way.
When out driving the first week in January I passed decorated houses and some with Christmas trees still up, I questioned when they (strangers to me) were going to get to the task. It was none of my business, but I wondered why they didn’t want to get back to normal so to speak. I mentioned my observation to my friend who offered a possible answer. “Some people wait until Epiphany to take decorations down.”
January 6-Three Kings Day- Epiphany-is the day remembering the magi’s visit to Jesus. You probably remember the account. Herod had heard about a newborn who would become a ruler. He summoned the magi to go and search diligently for the baby and come back with a report.
The men followed the star, presented gifts to Jesus, but because they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they took another route. We could go in several directions with this narrative, but as I read it, I camped on the significance of their offerings.
These men, Gentiles visiting a Jew, chose specific gifts for the baby-not the generic gift card, random convenient selection, or one size fits all. Their gifts were personal and purposeful. They gave:
- Gold, a gift for royalty that signified Jesus as the promised King in the line of David. (Jeremiah 23:5)
- Frankincense which was used for temple worship and symbolized who Christ is, our eternal High Priest.
- Myrrh, a perfume used to anoint dead bodies, recognizing Jesus as the promised suffering servant of Isaiah’s prophesies. (Isaiah 53)
- Gold: How could I offer gold? Am I willing to have Jesus refine me? What does that look like? “…so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:7 ESV)
- Are my prayers like frankincense – rising in praise and worship to His throne, acknowledging who God is and willing to accept His answers? “I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me; hear me when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” (Psalm 141:1 NIV)
- Am I willing to offer myrrh to empty myself of my plans and attitudes to seek and please God to live out His? “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12: 1-2 NIV)
The gifts of the Magi were valuable and provided wealth for Mary and Joseph. Imagine this poor couple coming upon gold! Scripture is silent as to their monetary value or what Mary and Joseph did with the gifts.
The question is- how can I make those my offerings in plans and prayers?
As we think about our desire to be conformed to the image of Christ and bring God glory in the new year, what is our response? The magi heard and followed. When we hear Scripture do we respond with :
- A willingness to be refined
- Prayers that are a sweet aroma
- Relinquishing my plans for God’s?
Our responses can yield personal spiritual wealth and we can share that with others. What do you think?
You can read more about Three Kings Day from my friend Cathy Chung in Seeds of Scripture.
The Conversation
When I was growing up and fewer people used artificial trees, I think the falling and dried out needles sped up the need to have the tree down by New Year’s Day. Taking down the decorations is not as much fun, but like you, I like returning to a sense of order. I like how you related the magi’s gifts to what we can offer.
Thank you Debbie.
You’ve asked some tough questions, Marilyn. I’m asking myself, “What am I giving to Jesus that is of any value.? That’s humbling. Of course, I know He wants me–for me to fully submit so that His Holy Spirit lives within me. That I have done–but I want to do so much more. Thank you for encouraging us to examine our beliefs and our actions in response to God’s greatest gift of love. Wishing you many blessings in this new year.
Thank you Katherine. When I suggested the parallel of the three gifts, I know it is not a one-time action or submission, but is a process and ongoing. As you say, we are always self-evaluating and examining. As we read His Word, we make new discoveries and that is one of the reasons our Christian walk is an adventure. Happy New Year, Marilyn
I keep my decorations up until epiphany most years so I can continue to dwell with the spirit of the holiday. I loved how you related this to the story of the Magi. It really brought home the message.
Thank you Yvonne.
Ah, the Imago Deo, and how far I have to go before I can even begin to resemble it. What great questions to ask ourselves as we begin the journey called 2024. Great thoughts to ponder ma’am. Thank you, and God’s blessings in this new year.
I love this message for the new year, Marilyn. Thank you for connecting the gifts to my response to God today. P.S. I confess my tree is STILL up because I am working on making some Christmas videos for my devotional. I’m very ready to get back to normal.
I’m late reading this, but love your perspective of thinking through how the Magi’s gifts apply to what we bring to God. Thank you for helping me see it in a new way!
I would love to grow in golden faith this year. Thank you, Marilyn!