Christmas arrives in less than a week. In homes where we’ve been intense pain, our childlike hearts look forward to shared joys and enchanting moments we will remember in coming years. We also prepare to exchange gifts with those we love. For some, the sorrows of loss and suffering darken the celebration. Political turmoil has many of us on edge this year. Yet most of us still hope for some semblance of peace or goodwill to cheer us through the end of our year.
The birth of our Savior arrived in a bittersweet season, as well. The bustle of census and related business distracted the locals. Some enjoyed prosperous benefits while others struggled with poverty. The ancient Israelites suffered through far worse government issues than we’ve ever faced. Ruthless King Herod executed two wives, his mother-in-law, and three of his sons. The tyrant would soon order the mass slaughter of all Jewish boys two years old and under.
When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
“A voice is heard in Ramah,
weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more.”– Matthew 2:16-18
Yet in the midst of this darkness and distraction, the most wondrous gift arrives to bless mankind with hope. Our only true hope, in fact, arrived in the filthiest and poorest circumstances. The Son of God intentionally arrived in humble wrappings to be laid in a feeding trough to nourish humanity’s soul-starved condition.
Nothing more enchanting could have been imagined than Christ’s birth announcements shining toward us from angelic choirs and impossibly transient star-beams. Despite the mass-distractions within Israel, magi took note of the signs from far away. These wise men took on the treacherous journey from their distant land with one purpose–to worship a king like no other before him.
They presented gifts which acknowledged Jesus as Sacrificial Savior, Great High Priest, and King of Kings. The magi risked all, willing to lay down their lives in order to worship Christ. They “opened their treasures” to the Lord. As the wisest men and women still do.
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. – Matthew 2:10-11
Today’s video discusses the most fulfilling gift exchange of our lives. We have the opportunity to submit our gold to the King of Kings and receive an inheritance of the fullness of the Kingdom of God in return. As children of the Most High, we present gold and receive eternal blessings as heirs of Christ in the following ways:
- Submitting our time to serve the Lord
- Offering our talents for refining and use in the Kingdom
- Adopting a stewardship mindset regarding our possessions, career, relationships, organizations, churches, communities, and earth
- Allowing the Lord to use the most precious and tender parts of our past, present, and future for His purpose to benefit others
- Loosening our grip on things for which we feel responsible
- Remembering the Most High as the only being capable of obtaining true justice
- Letting go of entitlement in order to receive grace and thankfulness
What are some other ways you can think of exchanging our so-called “gold” for the inheritance of God’s Kingdom? I look forward to hearing your comments.
I hope you and those you love enjoy peace and hope this Christmas as we all seek to honor the King of Kings as His heirs.
Be Encouraged,
Tina
P.S. Don’t forget to comment on this or any post in the Gifts to Embrace Forever series so you can enter to win a gift of your choice. I’ll choose one random participant this week, who will receive their choice of a copy of Beautiful Warrior: Finding Victory Over the Lies Formed Against You or a Beautiful Warrior themed natural soap. I can hardly wait to offer someone an extra present this year! I will announce the winner in a Facebook live video on my page. Be sure to like and follow so you’ll get the 
news as soon as the announcement comes through on https://www.facebook.com/tyeagerwriting/
If you’d like to order a copy of Beautiful Warrior as a gift, hurry now to Amazon. There’s still time to share the message of Christ-centered significance and identity with the beautiful souls you love this Christmas! If you prefer to wait until after the holiday to purchase your copy, stay tuned for additional news about Beautiful Warrior.
Thank you for this series of messages. I love the practical ways you suggest for offering ourselves to the King of kings.
Gold reminds me that my sights are focused on Heaven, my ultimate home where streets are paved with gold. Keeping my eyes on the destination of my true home while living in a foreign land.
That’s such a lovely and inspiring way to use the element of gold as a symbol and reminder, Jeanne! Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful insights!