Scripture: Matthew 2:10-11
When they saw the star, they were filled with joy. They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling to their knees, they honored him. Then they opened their treasure chests and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Thought for the Day: The story reaches its culmination when the Magi “presented” their gifts. The word we translate as presented is a word that doesn’t appear much in the New Testament outside of Matthew and the Book of Hebrews. It is often used to describe the bringing of an offering, but in Matthew’s Gospel, it also describes what so many did on behalf of another. For example, in Matthew 8 we read: That evening people brought to Jesus many who were demon-possessed… In other parts of Matthew’s Gospel, we find people bringing those who are sick or blind to Jesus. It is strange to think of people as an offering, but from Jesus’ perspective, bringing another human being into the presence of grace was a gift a person made. Often, we are asked to make a gift from our resources – money or talents – but the purpose of those gifts is to help bring people into the presence of grace. Whether we do it by placing money in the offering on Sunday or by offering to pray with someone who is feeling lost or working with the disenfranchised or a combination of similar actions, what you bring before the Lord is an offering. In the Jesus resume’, we find so many acts that demonstrated the value of every human life.
Prayer: May I make an offering to you this day, O God who Loves All Humanity. Whatever opportunities I have to widen the impact of your grace, I pray that I will do so – whether I sacrifice my finances, time or talents. May what I offer bring another human being into the tangible experience of your grace. Amen.
TOMORROW CAMEL WALK
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10am
ONE WORSHIP SERVICE
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10:30am
LUNCH TO FOLLOW
