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Christmas Chaos

by Ryan Paulson

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Well, we are in the throws of Christmas insanity… and I’m sure you are well aware of that if you tried to go to the mall this weekend. If you did, may God help you! If you just sit back and watch all the activity (people spending an exorbitant amount of money, rushing around, etc.), you could come to the conclusion that we are all a little bit insane. And we bring it upon ourselves.

As I’ve gone back through the Christmas story there is only one place where we see the giving of gifts. It in Matthew 2:1-12. It reads,

[2:1] Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, [2] saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” [3] When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; [4] and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. [5] They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

[6] “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

[7] Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. [8] And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” [9] After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. [10] When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. [11] And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. [12] And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. (Matthew 2:1-12)

Please Note: The only gifts given in the Biblical Christmas story are TO JESUS and they are given IN WORSHIP.

I wonder how Christmas would change for us if we were willing to embrace this was a principle that we let guide us. I’m not saying that we stop giving gifts to other people. I think that’s a good thing! What I am saying is that I think the season might take on a little bit of a different flavor if we gave some gifts back to the King. It might pretty radically change things!

What might you offer this King this year?

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