Christmas Gifts

They presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11b (KJV)

Christmas was almost here. Money was tight, so my mother worried about providing gifts for her three girls. However, she would not be defeated. The week before Christmas she went to Highlandtown to window shop. Everything she wanted was too expensive. Eventually Mother found the perfect gifts, took them home and wrapped them.

We were so excited on Christmas morning. Our gifts were so big! Mother handed each of us a box. Paper flew. My older sister, Gene, got a large washtub with a miniature washboard. My younger sister, Barbara, got a cute little highchair for her dolls. I received a metal ironing board with a real-looking iron. I was elated! At nine years old I could iron my dolly clothes.

It is amazing how prophetic those gifts were. Years later, Gene did tons of laundry for her six children. Barbara used a real highchair for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchild as they came along. I had plenty of ironing to do with three kids and a husband in the Army whose fatigues and dress uniforms had to look perfect.

Just as our gifts prepared us for our future, the gifts of the three wise men represented future events in Christ's life. Gold represented His deity. Frankincense was an aromatic resin representing Christ's sacrifice, and myrrh was sweet oil normally used in preparing a body for burial. God knew what was in store for His Son. The gifts to Jesus revealed who He was and what would happen in His life. Let us pay attention to the significance of God's gifts to us.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for our favorite Christmas gift, Your Son, Jesus. Amen

(c) 2010
E. Bonnie Ryan