The Best Gifts of Christmas

I know you have heard it said that the best gifts are the gifts that money can’t buy. When you are a child, this is so difficult to understand but as we get older we crave those things that money really can’t buy.  Time spent with family and loved ones; money can’t really buy time.  Love from a child or a grandchild, thoughtfulness, kindness; money can be an incentive but carries very little meaning or value when used that way. Now don’t get me wrong.  Money can do lots of good things; Help a family or individual in distress, put an unexpected smile on someone’s face, used to perform an act of kindness with no thought of reward or appreciation.  Money can do many things both good and bad but, it’s the heart of the giver that adds the value. 

When the Magi (wise men) visited Jesus in his house, they brought their most valuable possessions, gold, frankincense, and Myrrh.   Even though the things had great monetary value, they were also considered precious.  These Magi also gave something much more valuable; their time, devotion, respect, and adoration. They understood the significance of the Savior's birth.  As often happens in our modern times, the arrival of the Magi did not happen overnight.  They traveled from afar! Read Matthew 2:1-12.

The following website offers some insight.  https://www.gotquestions.org/three-wise-men.html  Thes wise men are often reffered to as kings. Kings probably would not have left their kingdoms without leadeship for long periods of time, but, instead picked their most trusted and wise men, who gave up their warm homes, their lifestyle, their creature comforts, and left their families and communities, to travel hundreds and hundreds of miles by camel caravan, horses, or on foot, to honor and worship at the feet or our Savior. That in and of itself was a sacrifice they felt led to make.  Of course, we now know that this was prophesied and God had already put the pieces into place for such a time as this.

So, as you go about your holiday traditions, remember that the best gifts are the ones that money cannot buy, your time, your creativity, your love for the recipient.  May your Christmas be filled with priceless moments and traditions that reflect the love of Jesus and one another.