Carols Devotional: “What Child Is This, Part 5”

Matt. 2:1-12

“So bring him incense, gold and myrrh”

There are so many miraculous events that surround the birth of Jesus, from God arranging for all the prophecies to be fulfilled, to the star leading the Wisemen to visit the child, Jesus, and .presenting their rich gifts.  Joseph was a carpenter, and as such was not destitute, but he certainly was not a rich man.  We are not told what the reaction of Mary and Joseph was to this visit at the house where they were living (Matt. 2:11), but if we let our imagination go, we can speculate.  I would think that it was one of astonishment and wonder;  men from the East, arriving on camels (again speculation), with the story of following a star, and then giving them awesome riches of gold, incense and myrrh.

It is impossible for us to know the value of these gifts, but they were the most costly gifts that could have been given at that time.  At today’s values, they were worth well over a million dollars, probably more.

God knew that this little family was going to have to leave their home country for a season, because Herod was going to order the execution of all baby boys two years old and under.  Herod wanted to be sure that he was not leaving alive  the one  whom the wisemen said was “born king of the Jews.”  The gifts these men brought to Jesus was more than adequate to pay their living expenses all the time they were living in Egypt.

God doesn’t ask us to bring gold, incense and myrrh to him today, but does ask you to give your whole self to him (Rom. 12:1)   He gave his life to redeem you from your former way of life. (1 Pet. 1:18-21)  At this Christmas season, let us renew our commitment to him, and give ourselves anew to the one who gave himself for us.

Naomi Brinkman