Day 3. Offering Gifts
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"On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh." Matthew 2:11
Those who follow the light — will surely be led at last to the Christ. There is always joy, too, in the heart when one has found the Saviour. The first act is to adore and worship Him. These men saw only the little babe lying in the young mother's arms. There was no crown on His head. No glory gleamed from His face. His surroundings were most unkingly, without pomp or pageant. The child did nothing in their presence to show His royalty, spoke no word, wrought no kingly act of power. Yet the Magi believed and "worshipped him."
Think how much more we know about the Christ, than they did. We see Him in all the glory of His life and death and resurrection and ascension; we see Him "standing on the right hand of God," "King of kings," wearing many crowns. It is not hard for us to see the regal marks in Him. Shall we be behind the Magi, in our adoration?
They were not content merely to worship the King, showing Him homage in word and posture; but they also laid their gifts at His feet. It is not enough for us to sing our songs of praise to Christ, to look up adoringly into His face, to bow before Him in reverent worship, and to speak our heart's homage in words. We should bring our gifts, too, to lay at His feet.
There is a great deal of mere sentiment in the consecration of many people. When there is call for gifts of sacrifice, or for real service — their sentiment instantly vanishes! People sing missionary hymns with great warmth, and when the collection-box comes to them — they have no gifts to offer! These men not only brought presents — but they brought those that were costly. We should bring our best, our "gold and frankincense and myrrh," — the alabaster box of our heart's deepest love, and the best of all, our life and service!
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