Have you ever thought about the gifts the Magi presented to the Christ child? Have you ever wondered about the significance of them or why they presented those particular gifts? For me, I have not. I just knew that they went, they found Jesus, and then gave him three special gifts for his birthday. End of story.
But that is not the end of the story. Today in church we discussed the gifts of the Magi, and the importance of them. What also struck me was how the Magi approached Jesus before presenting the gifts. They approached him humbly, bowing and worshiping this small child. Now if that had been my kids they probably would have giggled if not out loud laughed. I am not sure what Jesus's reaction was, but I don't think that is important. What is important is the Magi's attitude. It was an attitude of humility.
And the gifts they presented were not something to shake a stick at. The first gift was of gold, something given to a king. The second gift was of frankincense, something that is representative of deity. And lastly Jesus was given myrrh, when added to certain spices are used for embalming bodies. There was a purpose, a meaning behind each gift that was humbly presented.
Tonight as I sit by my tree I have to ask myself some hard questions. Do I have an attitude of humility towards Christ? And do I reveal that attitude of humility to my husband? We are to be the image of Christ, just as he humbly submitted to God by dying on the cross to save us. We as Christians and wives are to humbly submit to our husbands.
I also have to ask myself what special gifts am I presenting Christ this Christmas. Am I being prideful about my position in my marriage? Or am I being selfish in the fact that I can make things work better? A marriage is not a human or worldly image. It is the image of Christ's relationship with the church. Trust me you can make it like the world, but in the end it is truly about the image of Christ and the church. With that said, am I being an image of the relationship in my home?
I know that I am not submitting my marriage 100% all the time to God. I do the back and forth thing. You know what I am talking about. Where you say, Okay God here is my ____ (fill in the blank) and you can have control over it. But then when the problem is not solved or I don't get the answer I want, I snatch back the problem in a heart beat. Yah, I think we all have done that a time or two.
But as I sit admiring my tree, and think of Christ, the question still remains. What will I humbly give to Christ? If these men, these men of honor and of prestige humbled themselves before Christ at a toddlers age, what is stopping me at this time. What makes me better then them?
I love my husband, he is a great guy. He would give me the world. In fact, my kids and my mom firmly believe he has spoiled me rotten. I am not really sure if that could be said for me in return. So my gift this season to Christ is my marriage. I want my marriage not be the image of what the world sees, or what I think everyone should see. I want my marriage to be the image of Christ.
Lord Jesus-
I am so thankful for the special gift of my husband. He provides, loves, and supports our family. I am grateful his willingness to put up with a human wife life myself. I humbly confess that I have not been the wife you have asked me to be all the time. I struggle with control, selfishness, and pride on top of another slew of issues. As I come to you I give you an offering of love. I humbly ask that you would accept the gift of my marriage. Please make my marriage into the image of You. Help Mike and I to let go of our predetermined thoughts of what our marriage should look like, and grasp onto you with both hands.
In Your precious name Jesus,
Amen.
But that is not the end of the story. Today in church we discussed the gifts of the Magi, and the importance of them. What also struck me was how the Magi approached Jesus before presenting the gifts. They approached him humbly, bowing and worshiping this small child. Now if that had been my kids they probably would have giggled if not out loud laughed. I am not sure what Jesus's reaction was, but I don't think that is important. What is important is the Magi's attitude. It was an attitude of humility.
And the gifts they presented were not something to shake a stick at. The first gift was of gold, something given to a king. The second gift was of frankincense, something that is representative of deity. And lastly Jesus was given myrrh, when added to certain spices are used for embalming bodies. There was a purpose, a meaning behind each gift that was humbly presented.
Tonight as I sit by my tree I have to ask myself some hard questions. Do I have an attitude of humility towards Christ? And do I reveal that attitude of humility to my husband? We are to be the image of Christ, just as he humbly submitted to God by dying on the cross to save us. We as Christians and wives are to humbly submit to our husbands.
I also have to ask myself what special gifts am I presenting Christ this Christmas. Am I being prideful about my position in my marriage? Or am I being selfish in the fact that I can make things work better? A marriage is not a human or worldly image. It is the image of Christ's relationship with the church. Trust me you can make it like the world, but in the end it is truly about the image of Christ and the church. With that said, am I being an image of the relationship in my home?
I know that I am not submitting my marriage 100% all the time to God. I do the back and forth thing. You know what I am talking about. Where you say, Okay God here is my ____ (fill in the blank) and you can have control over it. But then when the problem is not solved or I don't get the answer I want, I snatch back the problem in a heart beat. Yah, I think we all have done that a time or two.
But as I sit admiring my tree, and think of Christ, the question still remains. What will I humbly give to Christ? If these men, these men of honor and of prestige humbled themselves before Christ at a toddlers age, what is stopping me at this time. What makes me better then them?
I love my husband, he is a great guy. He would give me the world. In fact, my kids and my mom firmly believe he has spoiled me rotten. I am not really sure if that could be said for me in return. So my gift this season to Christ is my marriage. I want my marriage not be the image of what the world sees, or what I think everyone should see. I want my marriage to be the image of Christ.
Lord Jesus-
I am so thankful for the special gift of my husband. He provides, loves, and supports our family. I am grateful his willingness to put up with a human wife life myself. I humbly confess that I have not been the wife you have asked me to be all the time. I struggle with control, selfishness, and pride on top of another slew of issues. As I come to you I give you an offering of love. I humbly ask that you would accept the gift of my marriage. Please make my marriage into the image of You. Help Mike and I to let go of our predetermined thoughts of what our marriage should look like, and grasp onto you with both hands.
In Your precious name Jesus,
Amen.