Uploaded September 2017 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Upon the visit of the Magi to Christ's manger, the gifts brought were gold, frankincense and myrrh. These three gifts were to become very significant in the life and ministry of Jesus. The magi, who came to worship before him, were no doubt led by the Holy Spirit to bring those particular gifts. The Magi were skilled in the politics of the Middle East and were sensitively aware that a prophesied King had come into their midst. Doubtless, it was their intention to assist him - monetarily and politically - in his rise to power. The gifts of the Magi were of extreme value. Though they were not given at Christmas as we know it, they present an archetype for the giving of Christmas gifts. In fact, the Magi, those fabulously wealthy kingmakers from the East, came to visit the young toddler, Jesus. Their gifts were symbolic, but were no doubt far more than that. These were men of the highest wealth and power. They rode thoroughbred horses and traveled with wagons, food, luggage, tents and an army. Had they not come in strength, Herod would have ordered them killed where they stood. It is no overstatement to say that they had the power to launch and sustain kingdoms. They were also considered to be legitimate prophets in their own right. Our contemporary view of them as simple wise men is totally mistaken. Certainly, they were wise, but they were also skilled in the politics of the Middle East and were sensitively aware that a prophesied King had come into their midst. Herod instinctively knew this and wanted both them and the new King out of the way. Their three gifts to Jesus have become part of the Christmas diorama, a singular act of adoration that resounded throughout the universe as the unique confirmation of the one who would restore all things.
In an amazing way, the Apostle Paul explains how Christ's gifts, received from the Magi, are distributed to men as described in Ephesians 4:7-8 and 11-12. It was necessary for him to die, as so often prophesied, to rise up and bless all mankind. When the Magi came to pay their respects to Jesus, their visit was, in fact, a prophecy, which is still in the long process of being fulfilled. One day, the world will recognize the importance of the risen Christ, as these faithful men from Persia once did, even before he arose. In fact, there is a prophecy to that effect, given by Isaiah in his future view of the Kingdom, when Christ will be seated upon David's throne when Christ rules and reigns over the earth in the approaching 1,000 year millennial reign of Christ. Note that in Isaiah 60, the Gentiles are shown bringing tributes of gold and incense, typifying his Kingdom and his Priesthood. But myrrh is not included, nor should it be, since his death has already been accomplished, once and for all time. His gifts, duly received and acknowledged, have been redistributed to humanity.
Their cost and their value is inestimable. In a dimly perceived way, our annual Christmas rush to bless others with a profusion of gifts is motivated by a recognition of what Christ gave to humanity in the ultimate act of self-sacrifice. At a conscious level, we tend to forget the details of his magnificent act. But in their hearts, even the most faithless know that his act of love lies at the heart of everything we recognize as culture and civilization. They know that blessings come from the Lord. Why else would secular men be so eager to eradicate every last trace of Christmas from the public concourse? A manger scene or a gift of love, even a brightly-colored tribute is detestable and loathsome to them. They know about the gift, and they want to cover it up. This coming Christmas, take a deep breath and think about what he has given you. His love will flow through you to others. In that moment, you might just recapture the elusive spirit of Christmas. But the biggest gift of all that he offers is the gift of eternal life without cost. It's yours for the taking.
THE MESSAGE OF THE RESURRECTION: MAKING HEAVEN AND AVOIDING HELL AFTER DEATH
youtube.com/watch?v=1uRRSN8qObg&t=654s
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE BORN AGAIN?
youtube.com/watch?v=zXRlZL2WG1A&t=1030s
A SAVING FAITH
youtube.com/watch?v=Y5VWKWnAdk4&t=1013s
Upon the visit of the Magi to Christ's manger, the gifts brought were gold, frankincense and myrrh. These three gifts were to become very significant in the life and ministry of Jesus. The magi, who came to worship before him, were no doubt led by the Holy Spirit to bring those particular gifts. The Magi were skilled in the politics of the Middle East and were sensitively aware that a prophesied King had come into their midst. Doubtless, it was their intention to assist him - monetarily and politically - in his rise to power. The gifts of the Magi were of extreme value. Though they were not given at Christmas as we know it, they present an archetype for the giving of Christmas gifts. In fact, the Magi, those fabulously wealthy kingmakers from the East, came to visit the young toddler, Jesus. Their gifts were symbolic, but were no doubt far more than that. These were men of the highest wealth and power. They rode thoroughbred horses and traveled with wagons, food, luggage, tents and an army. Had they not come in strength, Herod would have ordered them killed where they stood. It is no overstatement to say that they had the power to launch and sustain kingdoms. They were also considered to be legitimate prophets in their own right. Our contemporary view of them as simple wise men is totally mistaken. Certainly, they were wise, but they were also skilled in the politics of the Middle East and were sensitively aware that a prophesied King had come into their midst. Herod instinctively knew this and wanted both them and the new King out of the way. Their three gifts to Jesus have become part of the Christmas diorama, a singular act of adoration that resounded throughout the universe as the unique confirmation of the one who would restore all things.
In an amazing way, the Apostle Paul explains how Christ's gifts, received from the Magi, are distributed to men as described in Ephesians 4:7-8 and 11-12. It was necessary for him to die, as so often prophesied, to rise up and bless all mankind. When the Magi came to pay their respects to Jesus, their visit was, in fact, a prophecy, which is still in the long process of being fulfilled. One day, the world will recognize the importance of the risen Christ, as these faithful men from Persia once did, even before he arose. In fact, there is a prophecy to that effect, given by Isaiah in his future view of the Kingdom, when Christ will be seated upon David's throne when Christ rules and reigns over the earth in the approaching 1,000 year millennial reign of Christ. Note that in Isaiah 60, the Gentiles are shown bringing tributes of gold and incense, typifying his Kingdom and his Priesthood. But myrrh is not included, nor should it be, since his death has already been accomplished, once and for all time. His gifts, duly received and acknowledged, have been redistributed to humanity.
Their cost and their value is inestimable. In a dimly perceived way, our annual Christmas rush to bless others with a profusion of gifts is motivated by a recognition of what Christ gave to humanity in the ultimate act of self-sacrifice. At a conscious level, we tend to forget the details of his magnificent act. But in their hearts, even the most faithless know that his act of love lies at the heart of everything we recognize as culture and civilization. They know that blessings come from the Lord. Why else would secular men be so eager to eradicate every last trace of Christmas from the public concourse? A manger scene or a gift of love, even a brightly-colored tribute is detestable and loathsome to them. They know about the gift, and they want to cover it up. This coming Christmas, take a deep breath and think about what he has given you. His love will flow through you to others. In that moment, you might just recapture the elusive spirit of Christmas. But the biggest gift of all that he offers is the gift of eternal life without cost. It's yours for the taking.
THE MESSAGE OF THE RESURRECTION: MAKING HEAVEN AND AVOIDING HELL AFTER DEATH
youtube.com/watch?v=1uRRSN8qObg&t=654s
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE BORN AGAIN?
youtube.com/watch?v=zXRlZL2WG1A&t=1030s
A SAVING FAITH
youtube.com/watch?v=Y5VWKWnAdk4&t=1013s
