The Spirit of Giving

By Morgan Holland

Virginia Beach, USA

After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 2:9-11

The tradition of giving gifts has been around probably since the first civilizations arose thousands of years ago. Giving someone a gift is a wonderful way to communicate to them that you care about them. Gift-giving can sometimes feel like an art form! I have friends who know exactly what special gift would encourage someone the best after only knowing them for a short time, and other friends who have a hard time picking out presents for friends and family that they’ve known all their lives. What you give to someone, depending on the occasion and the recipient’s needs, really matters.

We don’t totally know how much the Magi knew when they were traveling to Bethlehem 2,000 years ago. Did they know that the star they were following would lead them to a poor family? Did they know that this was the Messiah from prophecy of old, come to set free all those who believed? Did they understand the entirety of the gospel at the time that they gave Jesus their gifts? I can only imagine what was going through their minds as they traveled together from distant lands in the east to bring Jesus their treasures. 

One thing is for sure: They knew He was to be recognized as King. Gold, frankincense and myrrh were all standard gifts to honor a king or a deity during this time. Gold was given as valuable riches. Frankincense as perfume or incense. Myrrh was an anointing oil. Myrrh was also used as an embalming oil, to help prepare bodies for burial, which is what leads some scholars to believe it’s possible the Magi understood what Jesus would go through in the future and used their gift to symbolize their understanding. These gifts were precious and expensive, and it’s incredibly inspiring to reflect on what it was in the Magi’s hearts that moved them to give to Jesus in this way.

In verse 10, it says that when the Magi saw the star resting above the house that contained Jesus, they “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” (ESV). What an incredible celebration! They were overjoyed to see that they had arrived in the presence of the king they were looking for. I wonder if songs burst from their lips as they made their way to the entryway of the house. I wonder if they could contain themselves from running or skipping the rest of the way. I don’t know what it looked like to rejoice exceedingly with great joy, but I imagine it was one of the happiest moments of their lives!

With exceedingly joyful hearts, they entered Jesus’ home. This is the heart with which they fell down and worshipped Him. Theirs were exceedingly joyful hearts; not hearts that felt like it was their duty or burden to kneel before Jesus; not hearts that felt like they’d rather be anywhere else; not even hearts distracted with plans of “What’s next?” or “How are we getting home?”. No! Their hearts were fully present, fully joyful, and fully willing to give as much as they could to honor Jesus as king. This is what I imagine to be the spirit of giving—that which is done with joyful hearts.

In reflecting on the joy of the Magi, I am reminded of the gift that Jesus would give roughly 31 years after this moment with the Magi, a gift that would change people’s lives for generation upon generation - the greatest gift of all - which was given by Jesus with an incomprehensible joy. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Despite the pain and suffering the cross brought, Jesus focused on the joy that was to come from overcoming death. This baffling joy is so special, because it came from a heart that was fully focused on God, so that even in the midst of the most terrible suffering of Jesus feeling separated from God by MY sin, He could be full of hope. From this hope came the greatest gift we could ever receive—reconciliation with our Heavenly Father. I am inspired to look to Jesus as my example in giving. I desire to give as much as I can of myself, my time, and my resources, with a joyful heart no matter my circumstances, just like Christ. 

Questions for Reflection:

1.      From the scriptures, what gifts has God given to me?
2.      Where is my heart when it is time for me to give to Jesus, whether it’s financially or with my time? Am I rejoicing exceedingly or am I distracted?
3.      What decisions can I make today that would change the way I think about the spirit of giving?