Sunday 04 January 2009

Background

The gifts the wise men laid before the Christ child were hardlythe most useful. Gold - the gift for a king - could have been soldto buy food or provisions if Jesus' family fell on hard times. Butfrankincense (an aromatic resin to be burnt as incense) was thegift for a priest and was used in the Temple during worship and atsacrifices. And as for myrrh, this was given to those who wereabout to die as it was used to embalm the bodies of the dead.

But whether the wise men literally presented the gifts to Jesus, orthey are instead used by the Gospel writer Matthew as symbols, theyshow us that even as a child, Jesus was recognised and acknowledgedas a king: someone who is the most holy and someone who willdie.

Today in the Methodist Church is Covenant Sunday. This is when manyMethodists renew their promises to God with the Covenant Prayer. Like the wise men offered their gifts toJesus, it is a chance for people to offer all aspects of themselvesand their lives to God.

To Ponder

Gold - the gift of a king. In what aspects ofyour life do you wield power and influence, whether in your work,church, social circle or even as a consumer? Take time to offerthat to God, praying that God will help you use it wisely.

Frankincense - the gift for a priest. Considerthe time you spend with God in prayer, worship and service. Whatcan you do in this new year to develop your relationship withGod?

Myrrh - the gift for the dead. Our weaknesses (aswell as our strengths) can all be used by God in God's service.Think about the things that you find difficult or hard to admitabout yourself. What can you place in God's hands so that God maywork in and through them?