A Birth Party - What will I give?

On this second week of Advent we are continuing with the series: A Birth Party, asking the question What will I give?

 
The task of identifying a birthday gift to give is handled differently – depending on our personalities.  Kristen usually receives this task with great pleasure because she loves to shop.  I on the other hand am more task oriented.  She will roam from store to store, spending hour upon hour to find just the right gift for the prospective recipient.  I will go to one place, look for the best item on hand, and walk out (usually within the same hour).

When I worked retail, I saw many different kinds of shoppers: the last-minute shopper (who forgot or procrastinated so now they had to make a rushed decision), the creative artist (who is crafty enough to make a wallet out of recycled duct tape), or the indecisive shopper who has no clue whatsoever but is unwilling to admit defeat.

True giving comes from the heart and is very much a part of who God is… and demonstrative of what He desires of us.  

“Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, 

not grudgingly or under compulsion, 

for God loves a cheerful giver.”

2 Cor. 9:7 

 Or perhaps Jesus’ example of the widow who put all she had into her gift, even though it only amounted to two small copper coins. (Mk. 12:41-44).

This morning we will again return to Matthew’s account of the Magi’s visit looking more intently toward the gifts of the Magi and how we may develop some application with regards to our own giving.  

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.” 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.  When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.  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.  And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

Matthew 2:8-12

The Magi came prepared with gifts, with the right attitude of heart; and their gifts were expressions of value and symbolic of the Christ Child's status as King, Priest, and Savior.

For the full message shared on 12-09-12 at First Church of God, Racine, WI; go to:

A Birth Party - What Will I Give?