West Milford Presbyterian Church

Jan. 7, 2018Isaiah 60:1-6

EpiphanyMatt. 2:1-12

By Rev. Dr. Janet Macgregor-Williams

Christmas Eve we talked about Mary’s experience of being pregnant as we got her version of “What to Expect when you are Expecting.” So, I thought it was fitting that today we should have a baby shower, since the wisemen brought gifts to the Christ child. Now most baby showers start off with some fun games, for my version I will tell you a joke:

Do you know what would have happened if the wisemen and been women?
They would have asked directions,
arrived on time,
helped deliver the baby,
cleaned the stable,
made a casserole,
and brought practical gifts, like diapers.

Okay, enough of the fun and games, let’s get to these gifts. Many countries celebrate this day, calling it “Little Christmas”; they put out oats for the camels and exchange gifts. The wisemen brought Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh, though we don’t know how many wisemen there were, we assume that there were three, as they brought three gifts for the Christ child. Just as Mary might open these presents, I would like to explore the significance of each one. As we reflect on the gifts the wisemen brought, let us also think about what gifts we give to God.

First Gold—a gift fit for a king. Gold has been valued for centuries from the ancient Egyptians to the Incas, from the gold rush to today. Gold is considered a precious metal, often used as a monetary system.Not really the best gift for a baby, and yet they come bringing treasure. Maybe it was like giving a baby a treasury bond for their college fund.

What is the treasure we bring to the Christ child? So many times, when it comes to giving gifts to God, we bring our left over, after we have paid the mortgage, bought the food, and paid all the other bills, then it is a matter of what is left. It makes me think of the Christmas present that you end up re-gifting, it is the left overs. But this is not what scripture teaches us. Just as the wisemen brought their Gold, the most valued of all metals, do we bring our very best?Scripture teaches us that we are to give not the left overs, but the first 10% as a tithe for our king of kings.

Gold is often a symbol of love, used in wedding rings. In Jesus, God comes into our world to reveal love. Can we also give our love and devotion to God?

Next, Frankincense, an aromatic oil used in incense, its use dating back to the days of Moses as it was placed in front of the Ark of the Covenant. In Roman Catholic churches, the priest waves the burning incense through the sanctuary. The fragrance is to carry our prayers up to the heavens.

I think of the line form they hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem” that “the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” Frankincense is a reminder of all the dreams and hopes that we have. Think of new parents and the dreams they have for their child, so we also have hopes and dreams, that this child whose birth we celebrate will change the world. As we begin a New Year together, we are filled with hopes and dreams for the New Year—that it would be better than the last. We also have our doubts and fears about the year to come, as we see the turmoil in our world. We can come to God with our hopes and our fears, as we struggle with all of the problems of the world. Just as the aroma fills the air, our prayers are carried up to God and with each breath we take, we can breathe in the spirit of hope God gives to us. It is in our prayers that we cultivate and nurture a relationship with God. Frankincense, asymbol of our worship and devotion, the aroma of hope that fills the air.

Gold, the gift of treasure and love; Frankincense, the gift of hope, of our prayers and relationship; the final gift is Myrrh. This is a resin from the bark of a tree, which is often boiled down to produce an oil that would be used in healing. For centuries, it was used not only for healing, but also as part of the mummification practice of the ancient Egyptians. Myrrh reminds us of Jesus suffering and death, his sacrifice, his life of service. Even at his baby shower we get the first glimpse of suffering and death.

In three months we will be telling the story of Jesus suffering, and hear his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane—“Not my will, but thy will be done.” Jesus came into this world to humbly serve. The song proclaims the “bitter perfume” and speaks of the “gathering gloom.” As we remember his death, his life of service, we must also ask if we are willing to serve God? St. Ignatious put it this way: We are called to walk with Jesus in the lowly places. Can we walk with him in the lowly places; can we serve our Lord, as he has served us?

Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh—these are the presents the wisemen brought to the baby;

Treasure and Love,
Prayers of Hope,
and humble service as we are called to live lives of service to our God.

What are the gifts we bring to the Christ child on this “little Christmas”?

Can we give God that which we value? Our treasure, our love and devotion?
Do we bring our hopes and dreams? Do we trust God with our fears? Do we offer up our worship and prayers? Will we diligently cultivate and nourish an ongoing relationship with God?
And finally, are we willing to humbly serve God? Even when it is difficult?

As Christmas draws to a close, let these be the gifts we give to the Christ child, not just now, but throughout the year, as we live our lives to the glory of God.