3 A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5 And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Isaiah 40:3-5 CJB
3 A voice cries out: “Clear a road through the desert for Adonai! Level a highway in the ‘Aravah for our God! 4 Let every valley be filled in, every mountain and hill lowered, the bumpy places made level and the crags become a plain. 5 Then the glory of Adonai will be revealed; all humankind together will see it, for the mouth of Adonai has spoken.”
1Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.
Isaiah 40:1-2 CJB
1“Comfort and keep comforting my people,” says your God. 2 “Tell Yerushalayim to take heart; proclaim to her that she has completed her time of service, that her guilt has been paid off, that she has received at the hand of Adonai double for all her sins.”
Image Source: Pinterest Comfort – Bressi Collection | Minimal Art
So far, we have unwrapped two gifts the wise men brought to Baby Jesus. In our last post, we discovered the second gift of frankincense, a gift of worship – fit for a king!
The Gift of Myrrh
Today, we unwrap the final gift – a reddish-brown sap from a thorny tree native to northeastern Africa and southwest Asia.
Join us as we unwrap how it reveals the eternal gift of life.
Why Myrrh?
Myrrh is known for its sacred tradition and somber significance.
Image Created by AI
It’s earthy scent. It’s healing and purifying properties. Its historical roots are in spiritual rituals and anointing kings.
Myrrh’s aromatic resin is a gift of preparation. It perfectly symbolizes the purpose of Jesus’ life and mission.
Think back to Esther’s purification rites. It represents readiness and sanctification. Today, it lingers in the air, reminding us to prepare ourselves.
Myrrh: The Gift of Purification
This gift invites us to examine our hearts and reflect on spiritual purity. Are we prepared to stand before God’s throne?
Let’s reflect for a moment on ourselves. Where do we fall on a scale of 1 to 10?
We know myrrh has been used throughout history as a sacred oil. Its spiritual value has been used in different religions and cultures as a source of purification and grounding. Ancient Egyptians used it for mummification and embalming. And in the Hebrew Bible, myrrh was used to anoint kings.
Thus, myrrh points directly to Jesus – the King of Kings.
Jesus & Myrrh: Perfect Together
This third gift foreshadows the death of Jesus. Christians believe that Jesus’s suffering and death were necessary for humanity to reconcile with God. Jesus was the sacrificial lamb.
For you. And for me.
Reflecting on this gift, we are reminded that Christmas’s joy leads to Easter’s hope. Baby Jesus, born in a wooden manger, was destined to die on a wooden cross. Right from the very beginnning.
The Eternal Message of Myrrh
The Gifts of the Wise Men reminds us that the story of Christmas does not end in Bethlehem. It points us to the cross, where Jesus laid down His life so we might have eternal life.
As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, remember the sacrifice He made out of love for us. Myrrh challenges us to embrace God’s purpose: to redeem, heal, and restore.
In our next series, 12 Days of Isaiah 40, we will explore the prophecies that point to the promise of Christmas.
Thank you for unwrapping The Gifts with me on this first part of Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas.
As we continue to unwrap the gifts the wise men brought to Baby Jesus, we travel into the deep woods of significant treasure. In our last post, we explored the first gift of gold, a gift fit for a king!
The Gift of Frankincense
Today, we turn our noses to frankincense—a fragrant resin from trees that typically grow in dry mountain regions of India, Africa, and the Middle East.
Join us as we unwrap how it reveals the eternal gift of life.
Let’s see how frankincense, given with reverence and love, connects us to the enduring message of Christmas.
Why Frankincense?
Frankincense is known for its sacred tradition and profound meaning.
Image created by AI
It’s woody. It can be inhaled. It can be absorbed by the skin. It can be taken as a supplement.
This precious gift perfectly symbolizes Jesus’ spiritual nature.
Throughout history, frankincense has been central to religious ceremonies. Think about incense in the church. It carries a sacred aroma that lingers in the air, transcending our spirits to another world.
It is quite an experience. Don’t you think?
Frankincense: The Gift for a King
This gift calls us to reflect on Jesus’ divine nature and His role as a great High Priest. It reminds us of the bridge between heaven and earth. And how our prayers, like incense, rise to God.
Every day we are reminded of God’s omnipresence. Let’s take a deep breath and say “Yah” as we inhale and “Weh” as we exhale. Feel it? THAT is the presence of God.
The sacred syllables of “Yahweh” remind us that every breath is a gift from God, connecting us to His presence.
As we prepare for Christmas, let the gift of frankincense invite us into worship. Just like the hymn, We Three Kings...
Frankincense to offer have I. Incense owns a Deity nigh. Prayer and praising all humans raising, Worship Him, God on high.
May we follow the wise men to Jesus. There, at the manger, we can worship the King of Kings.
In the next post, we unwrap the third and final treasure of the wise men and see how it adds to the layers of the divine birth of Baby Jesus.
Unwrapping the Gifts to Eternal Life: Gold, A Gift Fit for a King
Prepare Ye The Way
As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, we will talk about the gifts the wise men brought to Baby Jesus.
In our last post, we provided a brief overview of the biblical text to provide a framework.
The Gift of Gold
Today, we start with gold—a gift symbolizing royalty and acknowledging Jesus as the King of all creation.
Join us as we unwrap how it reveals the eternal reign of Christ.
Let’s see how gold, given with reverence and love, connects us to the enduring message of Christmas.
Why Gold?
Gold is known for its endurance.
Image created by AI using biblical text
It’s stability. It’s power to stand the test of time. It is the perfect precious metal to symbolize the kingship of Jesus.
Looking back on history, we see how gold is represented in royalty and divinity. Take the ephod, a priestly garment, for example. You can google it for more detailed information. It is fascinating to see gold’s role in royalty and the sacred.
Gold: The Gift for a King
Gold has always been a symbol of royalty and wealth. By presenting gold, the Magi acknowledged Jesus’ kingship. He was not just the King of the Jews but the King of all creation. This gift aligns with the prophecy in Isaiah 9:6-7:
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.”
Isaiah 9:6-7
As we reflect on this gift, we are reminded how Jesus brings us love, peace, and hope. If we open our hearts to God, we can embrace the Baby Jesus and honor Him as King of Kings.
King of Kings
For those who truly wish to prepare their hearts for Christmas, take a moment from your busy day today and listen to the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah. As you prepare ye the way to the Lord this Christmas season, I hope the triumphant melody will remind you of the gold the wise men brought to Baby Jesus. The same baby who grows up to become the King of Kings who reigns forever and ever.
In our next post, we will unwrap the second gift of the wise men and see how it adds to the layers of the divine birth of Jesus.
Let’s continue to prepare our hearts for Christmas. Shall we?
Our journey will take us to Christmas, where we will find hope and redemption to renew our faith, whatever that faith may be.
In the previous post, we explored how Christmas found its place on December 25 and how it was rooted in the ancient festival of Saturnalia.
The next three blog posts will focus on the significance of the wise men’s gifts to Baby Jesus. Today, we start with what Matthew had to say.
Ever wonder where the Magi brought their gifts?
The Three Magi Magi Mags royalty-free vector graphic by pixabay dot com
Let’s see what the Bible has to say in Matthew 2.
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 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.And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Matthew 2:9-12
Does it Really Matter?
So, we understand the story. King Herod sent the wise men to find the Baby. But the text doesn’t reveal how the wise men came to possess the gifts.
Did King Herod give them to the wise men?
Or did the wise men buy them along the way?
Or, perhaps they had these gifts along, waiting for the right time to give them away.
No, it doesn’t matter at all. The Wise Men presented Jesus’ holiness and signified that Jesus came to Earth to save our souls. And that is what matters most.
Divine Mystery
There is no doubt these gifts had divine mystery. There were profoundly more than mere symbols of wealth. These gifts speak to Jesus’ life and the hope He offers. Their meaning unlocks the keys to everlasting life.
In the next post, we’ll unwrap these treasures and uncover their significance. We will start with gold – A gift fit for a King!
Let’s prepare our hearts for Christmas over the next two weeks. Shall we?
Our journey will take us to Christmas, where we will find hope and redemption to renew our faith, whatever that faith may be.
We will be looking at Isaiah 40. But first, we start with Isaiah 7.
Ever wonder where the prophetic birth of Jesus comes from?
Immanuel
Prediction from the Old Testament to Recorded Event in the New Testament
Isaiah 7:14 NIV
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Matthew 1:23 NIV
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Isaiah 7:14 CJB
Therefore Adonai himself will give you people a sign: the young woman* will become pregnant, bear a son and name him ‘Immanu El [God is with us].
Matthew 1:23 CJB
20 But while he was thinking about this, an angel of Adonai appeared to him in a dream and said, “Yosef, son of David, do not be afraid to take Miryam home with you as your wife; for what has been conceived in her is from the Ruach HaKodesh. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Yeshua, [which means ‘Adonai saves,’] because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this happened in order to fulfill what Adonai had said through the prophet, 23 “The virgin will conceive and bear a son, and they will call him ‘Immanuel.” The name means, “God is with us.”)
Isaiah foretells the birth of Jesus.
It seems clear as a bell to me. Or is it?
We know two things: A woman will give birth. The baby will be named Immanuel.
In the NIV, the woman is a virgin and will conceive, and in the CJB, the woman is young and will become pregnant.
Now, this is where it gets fuzzy. As we know it, the Bible is not in chronological order, so it muddles our perception a bit.
To keep it simple, remember: Isaiah was written after Hosea and Amos. Thereby making it the third oldest sacred text. The Gospel of Mark was written before the Gospel of Matthew. Even though Matthew is listed as the first book in the New Testament.
In Matthew, the author records the birth as a fulfillment of the prophecy from Isaiah. We see an 8th-century writing predicting an event recorded in 80 AD.
Let’s continue to prepare our hearts for Christmas. Shall we?
Our journey will take us to Christmas, where we will find hope and redemption to renew our faith, whatever that faith may be.
In the previous post, we knawed on the prophetic words that predicted Jesus’ birth.
Today, we will reveal…
How Christmas Really Began
The Roots of Christmas
Remember that Christianity didn’t really spread until the 300-400s when Constantine declared Christianity as Rome’s religion. Before that time, there were other religions involving many gods and goddesses.
The Roman Catholic Church is believed to have chosen December 25 to celebrate Christ’s birth due to its ties with the winter solstice and the festival of Saturnalia, a time of feasting and gift-giving. Adapting these existing celebrations facilitated the transition to Christianity.
The winter solstice symbolized the sun’s “rebirth,” which aligns directly with the theme of Jesus, the “Light of the World.” Doesn’t it?
This strategy helped convert pagans by integrating already established traditions into Christian practices. Pretty straightforward.
Does It Really Matter?
Ultimately, the significance of Jesus’ birth is to celebrate the Son of God taking on human form. This miraculous event is one of the cornerstones of Christianity. And giving gifts honors the age-old story of the wise men bringing gifts to baby Jesus. So, does it really matter that it is December 25?
No, it doesn’t matter at all. What matters is that a Savior was born, and He is Christ the King.
As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, remember we are on a transformative journey from darkness into light, from prophecy to fulfillment.
In our next post, we will dig deeper into the gifts the wise men presented to baby Jesus.
In Part 1, we discovered that Halloween is a fun, family activity full of delight and sweets. Today, we will continue our post with the transitions from the innocence of youth to the darkness of teenagers and beyond.
The Transition from Innocence into the Dark Abyss
Teenagers are another breed. They dress in dark, scary costumes and carry pillowcases clustered in bunches as they “trick-or-treat.” Sometimes downright frightful.
The once light-hearted fun transitions to a darker tone of fear. As often depicted in horror movies, haunted houses, and scary costumes.
This shift causes us to pause and ask:
What is Halloween?
The origins of Halloween are rooted in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. It marked a time when the boundary between the living and the dead was thin. Like a veil.
This festival involved lighting bonfires and wearing costumes to ward off roaming spirits. Hence, it evolved into the more commercialized secular day we call Halloween. Its supernatural roots still linger with a sense of dark, demonic elements.
Darkness Can’t Exist without Light
Halloween can veer into the demonic easily. Yet, it also allows us to reflect on the light. For darkness cannot exist without light. It can be a time to reflect on deeper spiritual truths and the enduring light of faith. For those who feel uneasy about Halloween, you are not alone. Faith and spirituality offer a power counterbalance.
Agree?
The Light & Love of God
When we emphasize the light and love of God, our positive values can be transformative. We can love our community and be the hands and feet of Jesus by shining God’s light on others. Churches and faith-based organizations can host “Harvest Festivals” or “Trunk-or-Treat” events. We can offer safe and wholesome alternatives if we want to change the world. With a bit of motivation and planning, it can be done!
We have a choice.
We can gravitate toward the negative. Or we can gravitate toward the positive.
Our children need to be aware of the dark side of Halloween. They need to be cautious about climbing too far into it. As we try to instill good values in our children, we need to be able to distinguish good from evil. Highlighting goodness over evil is a great place to start.
God’s love and light are for all who seek faith.
Our trust in God overcomes darkness and death.
Thus, Halloween can serve as a metaphorical reminder of this eternal truth.
Cobwebs, witches, pumpkins, and tombstones seem to pop up everywhere in October.
Do you see them?
From storefronts and public squares to front lawns all across the country. There is no doubt that Halloween generates considerable sales for retailers.
Children can hardly wait to pick out their costumes as summer fades and fall approaches. It’s become a rite of passage, starting with the Halloween Parade that begins in pre-school. Which, of course, continues in grammar school. And typically ends in middle school.
Pretty as a Pirate
For parents of pre-schoolers, it is a joyous time. Families choose together what their little ones will be for Halloween. More often than not, these young children choose happy and pretty types of costumes.
Would you agree?
Young children pick superheroes, cute animals, or princesses. Which adds a flair of innocence to the holiday.
Then come the parties.
School parties, town parties, and neighbor parties. All preceding the ‘trick-or-treat’ tradition. Where children go from door to door ringing doorbells in the neighborhood. Having fun as they fill their bags with sweets. Children clad in costumes. Parents prompt and prod along the way. They roam the streets with their pumpkin-shaped baskets as parents linger behind.
In Part 2 we will explore the origins of Halloween and the transition from innocent into the dark abyss.
I and Thou Reflections 