Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh

Matthew 2:7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “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 the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

The commercialism of Christmas is just overwhelming!!! The Christmas stuff is already out in the stores and I have heard word of the Christmas music being played as well. Is this what I want our kids to think about when they think of Christmas???? NO!

Christmas is about the birth of Jesus - our Savior! That should be the focus.

So, this Christmas the children will be getting 3 gifts from Shawn and I. The will be gifts symbolizing the gifts that were given to Jesus - gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Their gold gift will be something of value to them - something they really want.

Frankincense was used in incense burned during religious ceremonies in Biblical times and also as anointing oil. The frankincense gift to our children will be something to help them grow spiritually.

Myrrh was used for embalming and preparing a body for burial. To focus away from the morbid side of that, the myrrh gift will be something for their body - ie clothing most likely.

Now, we will still do Santa until we have no believers - which will be a while. So they will end up with 4 gifts and a stocking.

I'm hoping this works and the kids are left feeling shorted???!!!???