"...and when they had opened their treasures,
they presented unto Him gifts; gold, 
and frankincense, and myrrh." - Matthew 2:11

I'm Dreaming of a "Right" Christmas 
A RIGHT Gift

Who's on your gift list this year, Christian?

You probably have a similar list as last year. Relatives, friends, co-workers, neighbors, church members and the rest.  As you search through your list, you'll no doubt see names like Bobby and Joey, Tina and Susie and Ralph and Betty...

...But, as you scan your list of names of whom you are giving a gift to this year...do you have see the Name above all Names on your piece of paper? Is Jesus written there?

What are you giving the Christ child?

That is the question that the magi must have asked each other as the headed for Jerusalem. This wasn't just an ordinary newborn they were going to see. This was a king. And it wasn't just an ordinary king...it was the King of Kings. What do you present to someone like that?

Something that was treasured. Something of value. That's the kind of gift that the Christ Child deserves. And so, after the wise men found Jesus, and after they had worshiped Him (notice the order of events here!), then they presented Him with that which had the most value to them. The opened their treasures and gave him gold, frankincense and myrrh...three things, Bible scholars tell us, that were symbolic of who Jesus was and what He was going to do.

Gold. It speaks of His Kingship.

Frankincense. A symbol of His deity.

Myrrh. A spice for a man who was going to die.

As I thought, tonight, about these treasures that the wise men dug from to find gifts for Christ, I wondered, "What do I have of value to give to Jesus?" Suprisingly, I found a nice list of things of value that I can offer to the Lord on His Birthday.

1. My testimony. Now, here's a little item that has many marvelous and useful features to it. I can tell other people about how Jesus saved me from my sins and gave me a "wonderful life" in Him. So, that's what I am going to do. Jesus pulled me from a life of lies and deceit, selfishness and pride, rebellion and wickedness. I couldn't be trusted, nobody really liked me and I always had my own interests in mind. It didn't matter how I had to do it, nor what expense to others it might mean, I was going to get things my way. Jesus changed me. I'm not the person I used to be. The Bible calls me a "new creature" in 2 Corinthians 5:17. I like that verse. It says that "old things are passed away, behold all things are become new." That's what happened to me when I met Jesus.

2. My words and deeds. A great gift idea for this year, my words and deeds are things that are valuable to the King of Kings.  After all, He can use the things I say and do to bring others to Him. If I really give them to Jesus, then He has a way of working through them to bring the lost to salvation, to encourage and edify the brethren, and to bring honor and glory to Himself. Yes, most definitely...that's something I want Him to have this year!  

3. My devotion. It costs a little more, but it sure is something special. Seems in years past I have given this one out to other things. One year I gave it to my Cousin Career and another year I gave my devotion to my Partner Possessions. Gosh, it's hard to just give my devotion completely to one thing. I mean, some weeks I like to be devoted to making money, other weeks to recreation and still other weeks to my family and friends. But, like I said, my devotion is something special. I think I'll give it completely to Jesus this year! (And I'm not going to ask for it back)

4. My life. The deluxe model. The extended package. We're talking Cabbage Patch Kids, Furby and Pokemon all rolled into one. The most valuable thing that I can possibly give to the Lord this year is my life. And it's not available anywhere else. I'm the only one that can give it to Him. Now, at first glance, I thought to myself, "My life... valuable?" I'm thinking, "I'm not that important in the grand scheme of things. I'm no Billy Graham or Apostle Paul or Charles Stanley or Steven Curtis Chapman.  Why would the Lord want me as a present this year?" Then, it hit me. If Jesus thought enough of me to leave Heaven and die a cruel horrible death at the hand of His enemies because He loved me...then I must be valuable in His eyes! So, I'm giving myself afresh and anew to the One who gave Himself for me.

Christian, Jesus isn't interested in all of the blinking lights and tinsel and the sound of "Ho, Ho, Ho." But, He is interested in you.

He doesn't care about the trees and the decorations and the ringing of bells. But, He does care about you.

And so, I believe, nothing would please the Lord more this Christmas, than to see yourself wrapped in a spiritual box, adorned with a spiritual bow, with a spiritual card attached that says, "To Jesus. From Me."

Give Himself something of value this year...give Him yourself.

Have a "Wonderful DAY in Christ,"
Jimmy D. Brown
\o/ Praise Jesus!