And
going into the house they saw the child
with
Mary his mother, and they fell down and
worshipped
him. Then opening their treasures,
they
offered him gifts, gold and frankincense
and
myrrh.
Matthew 2:11 ESV
Shopping lists and hurried phone calls
abound during this Christmas celebration season as we make decisions about what
to purchase for whom. We make every possible effort to attain the perfect gift
for each family member and friend.
As I thought about gifts, I wondered about
my gift to the King of Kings. After all, it is HIS birthday that we celebrate.
Perhaps an enameled scepter or a purple velvet robe intertwined with threads of
gold would be appropriate. Silly—right!
Jesus walked through His ministry time on
earth with no visible wealth. He had no place to lay His head (Luke 9:58). He
does not want material possessions offered at an altar of sacrifice or brought
as a gift. So what can I give the King?
While doing some research, I stumbled
across a verse familiar to most church goers. “But be doers of the word, and
not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22 ESV) And I thought, what
if that could be the gift that I give the King—wholeheartedly giving myself to
be a “doer” rather than a hearer only.
As Christians, we often like to think
that we have it all together; we are doing the right things, saying the right
things and behaving the right way. For the most part, I suppose that is true.
But I am going to be bold enough to say that there seems to be something
missing in most of our lives. Power! Power with God! Power with man! And I have
to ask myself why? Perhaps many of us hear the Word and do the Word by habit
rather than from the overflow of a heart of love for our Savior.
Perhaps we deceive ourselves into thinking
that our efforts to gain God’s favor through good behavior is what He desires when
it is really legalistic law following instead of truly immersing ourselves in
God’s grace. Perhaps we have not truly plugged into the power of God through
prayer.
Do we “act” a certain way because it is
expected or because we are so in love with Jesus that we cannot help ourselves.
Why do you go to church? Why do you sing in the choir? Why do you teach Sunday
School? Why do you serve in the kitchen ministry? Why do you and I do what we
do? Legalism vs. Grace—love!
During this busy Christmas season, I am
going to take a few moments to ponder those questions. Like you, I do not have all the answers. Will you join me as together we look into our hearts and search
for that perfect gift for Jesus and we ask ourselves—what can I give the King?
©
Joyce Powell
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