Monthly Devotional

Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh

November 2008

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. (Matthew 2:10-11)

A few years ago I heard about giving gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Three Christmas presents apiece. Ahhhh, this would simplify shopping. That sounded like a good idea to me, but would our preschool and second grade daughters agree? Thankfully, they were willing to try the new idea.

On Christmas Day, Christine and Julia received gold, frankincense, and myrrh—or actually, something representing what they stood for. We gave a gold gift they treasured, a frankincense gift to encourage their faith, (like an incense offering to the Lord) and a myrrh gift of fragrant skin products for their bath. (Remember how Jesus’ body was anointed with myrrh). That Christmas season was a blessing. With fewer gifts, the sleeping bags, books, and bubble bath became special and important. And our five and seven-year-old daughters actually remembered what they received.

Now each year I ask the girls if they want to return to our old way of tons of gifts or keep gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They always go for the gold. I think they appreciate the simplicity, prefer golden gifts of time and love, and enjoy stretching Christmas year-round.

My favorite part of the plan developed when we started giving gold coupon books filled with twelve coupons. This spread our celebrating and spending throughout the year instead of the usual December concentration, and allowed us to give our children appropriate seasonal gifts during other months of the year.

Many golden coupons involve sharing time and an event with our children. Here are some ideas:

January—Go shopping together and select a new educational computer game
February—Parents’ pick (Allows for freedom when a sudden circus comes to town)
March—Dessert out with Mom
April—Attend a spring musical together as a family
May—Buy a new family game and stay up late playing it
June—Camping out as a family
June—Go to a movie with a parent
July—Swim at a local water park
August—Back to school clothes shopping and lunch out with Mom
September— Kid’s pick (Their choice of a local event)
October— Bowling with Dad
November—Christmas shopping and out to lunch
December—Attend “A Christmas Carol” or other holiday drama as a family

As you contemplate giving gifts this Christmas, consider the simplicity of three. You can also designate the three as something prized—a gift your recipient really wants, something practical—a gift the receiver needs, and some of your time—an event to share. You’ll experience less shopping, less clutter, less stress, less wrapping paper, less spending, and less January store returns. Less is more, and equals more joy!

Most of all, simplified giving helps us focus on the humble birth of the One who received the gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and who is, the greatest Gift of all.

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

Lord, Thank you for the Gift of Your Son. As we contemplate giving to one another, may we remember that Your Son is the greatest present. As we reach out to others with gifts, may we reach out with Your love, Your joy, and Your peace. May others see Jesus through our actions.

Copyright © 2008 - Ann Marie Stewart. All rights reserved.

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