Three Kings Day

In many countries Ephinany or Three Kings Day is celebrated on 6 January.  Click here  or here or here for  information and to see how different countries celebrate.  Part of the celebration is about the wiseman bringing gifts to Jesus.

This week we asked "What is one of the best gifts you have ever received?"  Here are some of the answers:

"toy piano (when I was six)" - Robyn

"I’d love to say my children and they are up there in the top 5 - every unexpected gift I receive is fantastic I love the unexpectedness of gifts - my most recent was a card, not an email, a real posted card from a person I met at a conference.  I loved the effort she put into getting it to me as she didn’t know my details, she looked up the address of the church and sent it here to say thanks  for giving her a lift to the conference each day.  The small things people do that make a difference." - Yvonne

"A memorable gift that I received was an Oroton handbag(when they were in fashion!)  I was surprised at my husband’s good taste." - Daughter of the King

"Sienna's cupcakes cause they've got candy canes on top and I love them so I leave them for last." - Caeden

"love and friendship" - Bec

"One year a friend gave me colourful socks.  She had noticed that I enjoyed wearing silly socks and gave me a pair. I still remember this because she had obviously put some thought into her gift." - Daughter of the King

"For my 40th Birthday Murray wrote 40 things I love about you in my card and the kids gave me 40 Reasons why we like you/Good things about you.  - Jillian

From the above answers we can see that the time and thought put into the gift is important.   The wisemen put thought into their gifts for Jesus:  gold is associated with kings; frankincense is used in worship in the temple; and myrrh is a perfume put on dead bodies, a symbol that Jesus would suffer & die.

Not knowning how their answers were going to be used, this is how some people answered the question "What would you give to baby Jesus?":

"chocolate and chocolate cookies cause he holds us in his hands." - Caeden

"To Jesus I would give a sparkling star containing a bright light shining to the world to remind Jesus that He is the Light of the world."  - Daughter of the King

"love" - Bec

"my love." - Robyn

"Myself.  I would offer a life of service to him." - Daughter of the King

"Everyday is a gift to me and I would have to say giving or dedicating my day to Jesus is the best thing I could do in return.  Sometimes that would mean that Jesus receives some crazy, hectic gifts from me but the most amazing thing is that they are all received with grace and love." - Yvonne

I've always liked the song The Little Drummer Boy.  "I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum 
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,...".   The Little Drummer boy  gave what he could to Jesus and I think that we are asked to give Jesus what we can as well. 

How can what you have; both material possessions as well as your gifts and talents be used as a gift for Jesus?

What would you give to Jesus?