Devotion:
For an audio version of this devotion, click here.
Read Matthew 2:1-11.
In many eastern cultures, the giving of gifts is a very common practice. If one is invited to dinner, one carries a gift to the host. It was natural for the Magi, coming from somewhere east of Israel, to bring gifts to the one they were seeking. Their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were gifts for a king, a priest, and for someone who would give his life. Not only were their gifts powerfully symbolic of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, their gifts were expensive. If God set up an online gifts registry to instruct us on what gifts to bring Christ, what do you think would be on the list?
When we join a United Methodist church, we promise to participate fully in the life of the church through our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. In making this promise, we say we will be present in worship, in small groups, and other gatherings. We will pray for the staff, leaders, and ministries of the church. We will give our financial gifts and put our spiritual gifts to work in service. We will witness by living in ways that bring honor to Christ, and we will share our faith in Christ with others. These are awesome gifts that would no doubt be on that registry.
Personal Worship Option:
Many of us are better at some of these promises of prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness than we are at others. Pray about this and pick the one you need to work on the most. Don’t make a resolution; instead make a promise and bring that gift to Christ this year.
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