Not much is known about these men; where they came from, how far they
travelled or how many came to worship Jesus, but they were so
captivated by what the star represented that they followed it all the
way to Bethlehem. When the Magi arrived they, opened their treasures
and presented him (Jesus) with gifts of gold and of incense and myrrh'
(Matthew 2:11).
The gifts the wise men gave were of great value, treasures worthy of
their future king. They gave them willingly – as an act of worship. In
Luke's account of the birth of Jesus, we read that an angel of the Lord
appeared to a group of shepherds. They too travelled to Bethlehem to
see Jesus and afterwards they spread the good news far and wide. There
is a beautiful paradox between the lavish gift-giving of the Magi and
the shepherds who rushed to see their saviour and then told everyone
they met about Him.
As we approach Christmas, a season marked by celebration and gift
giving, our hearts are weighed down by the current situation in
Zimbabwe. It is easy to feel disheartened and overwhelmed by the
injustice that those in the West spend millions on Christmas presents
while people in Zimbabwe cannot access their money or afford basic
living costs.
Today many Zimbabweans are battling cholera, some are failing to feed
their families, others are victims of state-sponsored violence and all
are faced with the uncertain future of their country. It is hard to
imagine what we have to offer God. What can we bring the saviour of the
world when we are empty handed with nothing left to give? Micah asks
the same question:
With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God?' (Micah 6:6)
The heart of these questions is the same – how can I please you God?
What do you require of me in this season when my poverty is more real
than your rich blessing?
Whether we are like the Magi or the shepherds, the answer is the same:
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require
of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your
God.' (Micah 6:8)
We are not empty handed when we believe in justice, show mercy to
others and live in intimate relationship with God. These are the gifts
that we can all bring to the stable of our Lord Jesus Christ this
Christmas.
BY BETHANY DAWSON
Post published in: Politics