Verse of the Day 12/12

 Matthew 2:10-11 When they saw the star, they were thrilled with ecstatic joy.   And on going into the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then opening their treasure bags, they presented to Him gifts—gold and frankincense and myrrh.  Amplified Bible (AMP)

We've been considering presents and presence.  Today's verses continue the theme.

 

My wife and I are looking forward to Christmas in a few weeks and the opportunity to spend it with much of our family, including our three grandchildren.  Speaking for Jean and I, we're not looking or expecting presents, but are eager and will experience joy in their presence.  I know for a fact that gifts to the children will follow, but they will be because we adore and treasure them.

 

Notice in the verses that the gifts followed the ecstatic joy of the star, the news, and the worship of the Christ child.  John Piper writes in "Good News of Great Joy" - "When you give a gift to Christ like this, it is a way of saying, 'the joy that I pursue is not the hope of getting rich with things from you.  I have not come for your things, but you yourself.  And this desire I now intensify and demonstrate by giving up things, in the hope of enjoying you more, not things.  By giving you what you do not need, and what I might enjoy, I am saying more earnestly and more authentically, "You are my treasure and not things." 

 

May we treasure our families, church family and friends, but most of all may we treasure Jesus Christ in this way this Christmas.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Matthew 2:9-11

New International Version (NIV)

⁹ After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. ¹¹ 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.