Meaningful Gifts

by Nate Stevens

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11 NIV

What makes a gift meaningful? The effort or thought put into it? The gift's significance or cost? Do you give meaningful gifts or do you make the last-minute mad dash and buy gifts regardless of the significance or cost? Regardless of your efforts, there's no way to know if the recipient will even appreciate your gift. There there's the struggle with what gift to buy the person who seemingly has everything.

Oh, the frustration we endure and the anxiety we experience during the Christmas season. The tradition of exchanging gifts has become so stressful and meaningless it distorts our vision of the real reason we celebrate Christmas. If we were completely honest, we might embarrassingly confess our gift-giving expense rivals our gifts to God.

The wise men endured a long journey and went to great expense to present their gifts to Jesus. The great distance they traveled confirms their effort. The meaning behind each gift reveals their significance - gold fit for a king, frankincense symbolizing a sacrifice, and myrrh signifying the preparation for burial. However, these gifts were not meaningful simply because of the effort, thought, significance, or cost. Rather, we find their true value in how the wise men gave their gifts to the "Word made flesh." Before presenting their gifts, they first gave of themselves by humbly bowing and worshiping Him.

I recall a preacher once saying that the true measure of people could be found in their checkbooks. The underlying reference was to where your treasure is, there your heart (and checkbook) will be also. Using any financial computer application, it's easy to run annual totals and calculate percentages on where we spend our money. I recommend this as a year-end activity - it may reveal your priorities, goals, and true treasure of your heart.

Beyond the monetary value, all the gifts in the world pale in comparison to the gift of yourself. Giving quality time, effort, and support to others is quite commendable. However, superseding that is the giving of yourself wholly to God. As you consider your gifts this year, make sure Jesus is on your Christmas list. Then give Him the most meaningful and valuable gift you can - YOU!