The 5 Gifts Of Christmas

Matthew 2:1-11 (AMP)

The Visit of the Magi

1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king (Herod the Great), magi (wise men) from the east came to Jerusalem, asking, 2 "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him." 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 So he called together all the chief priests and scribes of the people and [anxiously] asked them where the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) was to be born. 5 They replied to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is what has been written by the prophet [Micah]:
6 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not in any way least among the leaders of Judah; For from you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.'"
7 Then Herod secretly sent for the magi and learned from them the [exact] time the star [had first] appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him." 9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and behold, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them [continually leading the way] until it came and stood over the place where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And after entering the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, after opening their treasure chests, they presented to Him gifts [fit for a king, gifts] of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

THE GIFTS

#1 Gold - Their gifts had special symbolic meanings as well: gold signified Jesus' status as "King of the Jews;" | Daniel 7:13-14 (AMP) | Philippians 2:10-11 (AMP)

The Son of Man Presented

13 "I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, on the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. 14 "And to Him (the Messiah) was given dominion (supreme authority), Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations, and speakers of every language Should serve and worship Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed.

Philippians 2:10-11 (AMP)

10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow [in submission], of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess and openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord (sovereign God), to the glory of God the Father.

#2 Frankincense - Represented the infant's divinity and identity as the Son of God; | Colossians 2:9-10 (AMP)

9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity (the Godhead) dwells in bodily form [completely expressing the divine essence of God]. 10 And in Him you have been made complete [achieving spiritual stature through Christ], and He is the head over all rule and authority [of every angelic and earthly power].

#3 Myrrh - Touched upon Jesus' mortality. | John 19:38-40 (AMP)

38 And after this, Joseph of Arimathea—a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews—asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away His body.39 Nicodemus, who had first come to Him at night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, [weighing] about a hundred [Roman] pounds. 40 So they took Jesus' body and bound it in linen wrappings with the fragrant spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.

Luke 2:21-35 (AMP)

Jesus Presented at the Temple

21 At the end of eight days, when He was to be circumcised, He was named Jesus, the name given [to Him] by the angel [Gabriel] before He was conceived in the womb.
22 And when the time for their purification came [that is, the mother's purification and the baby's dedication] according to the Law of Moses, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord [set apart as the Firstborn] 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy [set apart and dedicated] to the Lord)" 24 and [they came also] to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord [to be appropriate for a family of modest means], "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout [carefully observing the divine Law], and looking for the Consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed). 27 Prompted by the Spirit, he came into the temple [enclosure]; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him the custom required by the Law, 28 Simeon took Him into his arms, and blessed and praised and thanked God, and said, 29 "Now, Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to leave [this world] in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your Salvation,31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,32 A Light for revelation to the Gentiles [to disclose what was previously unknown], And [to bring] the praise and honor and glory of Your people Israel." 33 And His [legal] father and His mother were amazed at what was said about Him. 34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, "Listen carefully: this Child is appointed and destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that is to be opposed— 35 and a sword [of deep sorrow] will pierce through your own soul—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

#4 Praise | Luke 2:36-38 (AMP)

36 There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, and had lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage,37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She did not leave the [area of the] temple, but was serving and worshiping night and day with fastings and prayers. 38 She, too, came up at that very moment and began praising and giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all who were looking for the redemption and deliverance of Jerusalem.

#5 Worship

Discussion Questions

The Journey of the Magi

1. The wise men traveled from the east following a star. What "stars" or signs has God used to lead you to Jesus?
2. They asked, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?" How persistent are you in seeking Jesus when the path isn't clear?
3. When the magi saw the star stop, "they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy." Describe a time when God clearly directed you and how you responded.

The Response of Different Groups

1. Herod was "disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him." Why do you think the news of Jesus' birth disturbed them rather than bringing joy?
2. The chief priests and scribes knew exactly where the Messiah would be born but didn't go to worship. How can we have knowledge without devotion?
3. Compare Herod's false claim to worship with the magi's genuine worship. How can we ensure our worship is authentic?

The Three Gifts and Their Meaning

1. Gold for a King: How do you acknowledge Jesus as King in your daily life? What areas of your life have you not yet surrendered to His kingship?
2. Frankincense for Deity: The gift recognized Jesus as the Son of God. How does recognizing Jesus' divinity change how we approach Him?
3. Myrrh for Mortality: This gift pointed to Jesus' death. Why was it important that these wise men understood His purpose included suffering and death?

The Presentation at the Temple

1. Mary and Joseph offered "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons" - the offering of the poor. What does this tell us about the family Jesus chose to be born into?
2. Simeon had been promised he wouldn't die before seeing the Messiah. How long are you willing to wait for God's promises?
3. Simeon said Jesus was "appointed and destined for the fall and rise of many." How has Jesus caused you to fall (in surrender) and rise (in new life)?

The Prophetic Words

1. Simeon told Mary "a sword will pierce through your own soul." How do we prepare for the cost of following Jesus?
2. The child would be "a sign that is to be opposed." Why is Jesus still opposed today, and how do you handle that opposition?
3. Simeon said this would happen "so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." How has Jesus revealed what's in your heart?

Anna's Response

1. Anna "did not leave the temple, but was serving and worshiping night and day with fastings and prayers." What does devoted worship look like in modern life?
2. At 84 years old, Anna was still actively serving. What does this teach us about age and ministry?
3. Anna "continued to speak of Him to all who were looking for redemption." Who are you speaking to about Jesus?

Our Gifts to Jesus

1. The magi brought their best gifts. What are the best gifts you can offer to Jesus today?
2. They "fell down and worshiped Him" before presenting gifts. Why must worship come before our offerings?
3. If gold represents treasure, frankincense represents worship, and myrrh represents sacrifice, which of these is hardest for you to give?

Personal Application

1. The magi "entered the house" to find Jesus. What houses or places do you need to enter to find and serve Jesus?
2. Both the shepherds (poor) and magi (wealthy) came to worship. How does the Gospel unite people from all backgrounds?
3. After meeting Jesus, the magi went home "by another way." How has meeting Jesus changed your path?

The Gift of Praise and Worship

1. The sermon identifies praise and worship as gifts #4 and #5. How are these different from the physical gifts, and why are they important?
2. Anna "began praising and giving thanks to God." What's the relationship between thanksgiving and recognizing Jesus?
3. What would it look like for you to give Jesus the gift of worship this Christmas season instead of just going through religious motions?

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