Author: jacksonkarris@gmail.com

Last week, I had the privilege of teaching a lesson to the youth at my church. The title of the lesson was, Happy Birthday Jesus, and focused on the magi’s visit to baby Jesus in Matthew 2. The kids enjoyed learning about the magi’s gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. After an in-depth discussion on the monetary value of frankincense and myrrh, we talked about what “valuable gifts” we can give Jesus during this Christmas season. Their answers ranged from cell phones to basketball balls to baby dolls. We ended the lesson by talking about the greatest gift we’ve ever received – the gift of Jesus Christ.

After spending the morning talking with kids about Matthew 2 and thinking about what “valuable gifts” I can give to Jesus, I decided to go back and read the passage again to see if there was anything else I could glean from the text. And there was.

Although the focus of Matthew 2 is usually on the TREASURES presented to Jesus by the magi, they also gave Him other valuable gifts – their TIME and TALENT.

In Matthew 2, we learn about the magi who traveled to Jerusalem looking for baby Jesus, so they could worship him. After learning that He wasn’t there, but was born in Bethlehem of Judea, they followed the star and continued their search to find Him. They weren’t discouraged when they didn’t find him in the first place they looked. They didn’t give up when He wasn’t where they thought He was going to be. They were willing to invest their TIME and search for him even if it meant traveling to another city.

Magi are often referred to as the wise men who followed the star to find baby Jesus and present treasures to Him, but the magi were scholars who knew the ancient writings of the Jews. They knew the Christmas star meant Jesus was born. It’s clear from scripture that the magi had a level of expertise about the meaning of the star that no one else in Jerusalem had. They used their TALENT to find Jesus and ultimately helped save Him from being killed.

And lastly, after using their TIME and TALENT to find Jesus, they gave Him their TREASURES. Matthew 2:11 says, “After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their TREASURES, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (NASB)

There is so much more to the story of the wise men who presented TREASURES (gifts) to Jesus. It’s a story about receiving the gift of Jesus Christ and in return, presenting him with the gift of YOU – YOUR TIME, YOUR TALENT, AND YOUR TREASURES.

What gifts are you presenting to Jesus this Christmas? 

 Karris 

Matthew 2 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Visit of the Magi

2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, ^[a]magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ² “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” ³ When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴ Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the ^[b]Messiah was to be born. ⁵ They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written ^[c]by the prophet:

⁶ ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah;
For out of you shall come forth a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”

⁷ Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them ^[d]the exact time the star appeared. ⁸ And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” ⁹ After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. ¹¹ After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they ^[e]fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ¹² And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

The older I get, the more I love birthdays. I see them as opportunities to pause and reflect on where I’ve been and where I want to go. I also enjoy birthdays because you get gifts – good gifts. Over the past year, I’ve been thinking, reflecting, and writing about my struggles with self-esteem as a young person and how those struggles impacted the decisions I made as a teenager/young adult. Today, on my 42nd birthday, I want to tell my “younger self” about THE GIFT. THE GIFT of God’s perfect LOVE.

A LETTER TO MY YOUNGER SELF 

Your value can’t be found in the arms of young men

Your worth can’t be seen through the eyes of your friends

Your self-esteem can’t be obtained through the affections of others

Your heart won’t be protected when given to another

Your happiness won’t come from material things

Your problems won’t end when you finally get that ring

Who you are isn’t really based on you

And  it’s definitely not based on the opinions of few

You’ve been uniquely designed by the Creator of the earth

In Him is where you’ll find your worth

So, do your best to silence the confusion and chatter

You are perfectly LOVED by God … and that’s all that matters

Karris 

 

A few months ago, I found almost 100, 3.5 floppy discs in a box tucked away in the corner of my office at work. I could tell, from the writing on them, that some were over 20-years-old. I wanted to know what was on them so I asked my husband to order a floppy disc reader. When the reader came in, I sat down and went through them one by one. It was interesting to get a glimpse into the mind of my 20-year-old self. I found so many different documents: a love letter to an old boyfriend (I hope I didn’t send it to him), the resume of a good friend, college papers, memos, and a letter I wrote on October 6, 1997. Below is the letter. May it bless you as much at it blessed me.

A Letter to a Friend

I had to write to tell you how much I love and care for you.  Yesterday, I saw you walking and laughing with your friends. I hoped you would invite Me to walk along with you. I painted a sunset to close your day and whispered a cool breeze to refresh you.  I waited, but you never called. I kept on loving you.

As I watched you fall asleep that night, I wanted so much to be there for you.  I spilled moonlight onto your face and watched it trickle down your cheeks.  You didn’t even think of Me. I wanted so much to comfort you.

The next day, I exploded a brilliant sunrise into a glorious morning. You woke up late and rushed out the door. My sky became cloudy and My tears were rain. You didn’t even notice.

I love you.  Oh, if you would only listen.  I really love you.  I try to say it in the quiet of the green meadow and the brightness of the blue sky.  The wind whispers My love throughout the treetops and spills it as vibrant colors in flowers.  I shout to you in the thunder of great waterfalls and compose love songs for bands to sing.  I warm you with the clothing of My sunshine and perfume the air with the sweet scent of nature.  My love for you is deeper than the ocean and greater than any need in your heart.  If you’d only realize how much I care.

I died just for you.

My dad sends His love.  I want you to meet Him.  He cares for you too.  Fathers are just that way.  So please call Me soon.  No matter how long it takes – I will wait.

Your Friend,

Jesus

“and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God.” (James 2:23: New American Standard Bible)