Giving Jesus My Best This Christmas

In review of Matthew 2:11 it says, “When the men went into the house and saw the child with Mary, his mother, they knelt down and worshiped him. They took out their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh and gave them to him.”

Bottom Line:

They bowed down and worshiped him. They opened their gifts and gave him treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

What this means to me:

Like the wise men, I too should bow down and worship Jesus as well. I should give him the best gifts of all. Christmas is near, however Jesus often gets completely shut out. This is like planning a party for someone and inviting many people. Everyone brings lots of gifts, and the invitees trade presents with one another — and the person the party was for gets nothing. That’s Christmas. We give gifts to everyone but Jesus. However, what do I give the God who has everything?  There are four things he doesn’t have unless I give them to him.  

• . Give him my trust. Faith is a voluntary matter. He will never force it from us. Jesus won’t have my trust unless I give it to him.
• . Give Jesus first place in my life. If anything or anyone other than Jesus holds first place in my life, it would be considered an idol. This Christmas, I want to choose to make Jesus first in my finances, interests, relationships, and schedule— and even in my troubles. One important way I can give Jesus my heart this Christmas is by giving of my resources to his work. Jesus doesn’t need my money, but he does want what it represents — my heart.
• . Give Jesus my heart. My heart is what I love, what I value, and what I care about most. His word reminds me that, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34 NIV).
• . Bring others to Jesus. God wants a family more than anything else this Christmas. He wants children who choose to love and trust him. It is the reason we celebrate Christmas. Invite others to Jesus this Christmas time. Tell them about what Jesus has done in my life.

The verse also reminds me that the Wise Men didn’t give Jesus their leftovers when they visited him, but instead gave three very significant and valuable gifts: “They bowed down and worshiped him. They opened their gifts and gave him treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11 NCV). In summary, when I give Jesus my trust, make him first in my life, give what I value to his work, and bring other people to him, I would be giving him gifts far more valuable than the ones the Wise Men brought.  This year I will tell Jesus “happy birthday” this Christmas and give him my best, gifts that he would really want.