Gifts For Jesus
FROM THE DESK OF IELA GALIANO-WILLIAMS
(This reflection was written for the arrival of Epiphany, but can be read it any time when you are wondering what you might have to bring to the manger.)
"After they had heard the king, they went on their way, & the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, & they bowed down & worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures & presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense & myrrh.” - Matthew 2:9-11
What is one of the best gifts you've ever received?
Chances are you'd be able to name some big ticket items, but I'm willing to bet you're also thinking of some of the simple quiet ones given from a place of love.
January 6th marks the celebration of Epiphany beginning with the arrival of the Three Kings. We have often tended to lump them in with our Christmas narrative, but in reality they probably arrived much later after Jesus' birth to bestow their gifts upon him and worship the newborn king.
The gifts from three kings maybe sound extravagant and like odd choices for a baby, but we also know they were deeply symbolic. Perhaps they listened to the still small voice inside of them when choosing what to offer and brought what they had in faith.
The journey of the three wise men has me contemplating the other stories, both from scripture and fictional ones, about gifts offered to Jesus. There is the woman with the jar of perfume, the young boy with his fish and loaves, the woman with two copper coins, the little drummer boy, the Herdmans offering ham, Amahl and the Night Visitors, and I'm sure you can think of even more!
As I think about these gifts given to Jesus I wonder, what would I have brought to the manger? Something practical, sentimental, valuable? When would I have arrived and how would I have even approached with my gift?
As I pondered this, it lead me to even another question of, is there a gift, either metaphorically or literally, that I feel called to offer Jesus now? Most of the people in the stories we know so well did not have a lot, but what they did have they gave to Jesus with trust and love.
Maybe, like the people we read about, what we sometimes feel invited to give is something we're worried Jesus wouldn't want or be able to use? Or something we think others might judge or laugh at? Or maybe even something precious that feels difficult to offer up?
Whatever it is for each of us, my prayer is that may we have the boldness, and the humility, in 2025 to approach the manger with what we have and know that God will delight in it.
Wishing You a Blessed Epiphany,
Iela