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A Gift Certificate for Jesus?A Gift Certificate for Jesus?
by Jeff Lee
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"I don't know what to get!" the older boy said with frustration. "He's got all the gadgets! And, he sure has more allowances than I." "Why not a gift certificate?" his brother suggested. "What a great idea! That saves me a lot of hassle and doesn't even need any gift wrapping," he said.

This was a conversation held by thousands just a few days ago. But now that Christmas has passed, let's do a little reflecting. Did you get a headache during your holiday shopping buying gifts for people who have everything? Let's thank whoever invented the gift certificate.

What would I have brought for Jesus?
On the other hand, it was a good thing that Jesus did not receive simply a gift certificate or money only from his gift-givers from the east. The wise men came to worship the baby Jesus:

When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house where the child and his mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before him and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:10-11 NLT)

We know little of their origin, identities, or even how many of them there were, but we know with great certainty that they came prepared to worship the one born the King of the Jews. However, their gifts and long travel to honor Jesus reflect their time, respect, thoughtfulness, planning, and generosity.

What would I have brought for Jesus if I had been one of them? Even more importantly, how do I express my gratitude and my love today? What gift do I bring to Jesus? Will it only be a "gift certificate" — a gift "that saves me a lot of hassle and doesn't even need any gift wrapping" — or will I be like the gift-givers from the east who "fell down before him and worshiped him ... [and] opened their treasure chests"?

 
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      © 2004 idevote - Pray for China

      Title: "A Gift Certificate for Jesus?"
      Author: Jeff Lee
      Publication Date: December 30, 2004

 
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