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The Magi’s Gifts: What Can We Offer Jesus Today?

When we think of the first Christmas gifts, it's easy to turn our thoughts toward the Magi—those mysterious visitors from the East who traveled far to worship the newborn King. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh—each deeply symbolic of who Jesus is and what He came to do. While we may not have treasures like these to lay before the Savior today, the question remains: What can we give the Savior who has given us everything? The answer lies in the way we live, love, and serve.

The Meaning of the Magi’s Gifts

The gifts brought by the Magi were not random; each held significance, revealing the multifaceted nature of Christ—our King, our God, and our Savior.

Gold: The Gift for a King
Gold was a gift fit for royalty, acknowledging Christ as the King of Kings. It speaks to His authority and eternal reign.

Frankincense: The Gift for Worship
Representing worship and prayer, Frankincense is a fragrant resin used in temple rituals. As a gift, it declares Christ’s divinity and the call for devotion.

Myrrh: The Gift for Sacrifice
Myrrh is an ancient burial spice. Correspondingly, it foreshadowed Christ’s suffering and sacrificial death for humanity.

Our Gifts to Lay Before the Manger

While we may not bring physical treasures like the Magi, we can still offer Him meaningful gifts that honor and demonstrate His significance in our lives. 

Here are three gifts we can bring to the Savior today:

Our Time: A Gift of Presence
Dedicate moments each day to prayer, Bible reading, and worship. Intentionally prioritizing time with Him each day keeps Him first place in our lives. 

Our Talents: A Gift of Praise
Use your God-given abilities to serve others and glorify Him. It doesn’t matter what our talents are– every talent can be an act of worship.

Our Treasures: A Gift of Generosity
Give financially or materially to support the church, missions, or those in need. Sharing our resources demonstrates gratitude and trust in God as our ultimate provider.

The Finest Gift We Can Lay

The most precious treasure we can give Christ is the fullest offering of ourselves. That is, we must live a life fully surrendered to Him and honor Him daily through our actions, thoughts, and words.

This looks like:

Daily Appreciation
Gratitude keeps your heart focused on Christ’s goodness. Take time each day to recognize and appreciate the blessings in your life and thank God for all He provides. 

Morning Appointments
Start your mornings connecting with God through prayer and seek His guidance for the day ahead. 

Compassionate Service
Look for opportunities to show kindness and meet the needs of those around you.

Regular Bible Reading
Align with His will through consistent Bible study. 

Handing the Reigns to God
Live with open hands and regularly submit your goals and decisions to God, trusting Him to take the lead. 

Radiating His Light
Let your life reflect His light, and be sure that you conduct yourself in a way that points others to Christ. This involves making choices that Honor God– from how you spend your time to how you treat others.

Laying Our Gifts Before Him

The Magis prompt us to consider the real meaning behind gift-giving during the Christmas season. Though we may not bring gold, frankincense, or myrrh, we can offer gifts of far greater meaning: our time, talents, and treasures, all humbly surrendered in reverence. As we celebrate His birth, let’s dedicate ourselves to giving Him the best we have and aspire to live lives that are a continuous offering of love and praise to the King of Kings. Afterall, it is He who has given us the greatest gift of all– Himself. 

-Torrance Community Church of Christ

Christ’s Path of Gratitude

Gratitude is more than a feeling; it’s a way of life, and no one exemplified this better than Jesus. Throughout His ministry, Jesus consistently paused to give thanks. From small daily blessings to miraculous moments, He showed us how to express gratitude in every circumstance. Today we will observe how Jesus' acts of thanksgiving can serve as a guide for us and discover practical ways to make thanksgiving an integral part of our daily lives. 

His Displays of Gratitude

The Feeding of the 5,000 

The Feeding of the 5,000 is one of the most well-known miracles of Jesus, where He took five loaves of bread and two fish, blessed them, and multiplied them to feed a crowd of over 5,000 people. Before performing this miracle, Jesus gave thanks to God, demonstrating gratitude even in a moment of apparent scarcity. His act of thanksgiving was a powerful reminder that, no matter how small our resources may seem, God can multiply them in ways we can’t imagine. 

Raising Lazarus from the Dead 

The story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead is an example of absolute power and heartfelt gratitude. Before performing the miracle, Jesus paused to thank His Father, saying, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me” (John 11:41). Expressing gratitude before the miracle occurred, Jesus demonstrated that gratitude isn’t just a response to what God has done but a declaration of faith in what He will do. He reminds us to approach every situation with a thankful heart, confident that God hears us and works for our good.

The Last Supper

As we all know, during the Last Supper, Jesus shared a meal with His disciples, knowing it would be His final one before facing the cross. In this intimate and somber moment, He took bread, gave thanks, and broke it, saying, “This is My body, given for you” (Luke 22:19). Despite the heavy burden of His impending sacrifice, Jesus paused to express gratitude for the moment, for His disciples, and for the fulfillment of God's plan. Communicating gratitude even in the shadow of His death, Jesus illustrates the value of giving thanks no matter the circumstances and helps us to focus on God’s presence and purpose in all things. 

Revealing Truth to the Humble 

Highlighting the importance of humility to receive God’s wisdom, Jesus offered a prayer of thanksgiving, saying, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children” (Matthew 11:25).  This display of gratitude demonstrates the significance of expressing gratitude for the revelations that God presents to those who are humble and receptive.  

Lessons from Jesus’ Gratitude

Jesus’ gratitude was a reflection of His heart and relationship with the Father. Through His example, we learn that gratitude is more than saying "thank you"; it’s a powerful expression of faith and worship. This challenges us to adopt an attitude of gratitude that transforms our relationship with God, deepens our faith, and is an example of His love.

• Gratitude as a Habit: Jesus consistently gave thanks in all circumstances, from everyday meals to miraculous moments, reminding us that gratitude should be woven into the fabric of our daily lives.
• Gratitude as Worship: Every time Jesus gave thanks, He acknowledged God’s sovereignty and provision, glorifying the Father through His words and actions. Gratitude is an act of worship that draws us closer to God and shifts our focus from ourselves to His goodness.
• Gratitude as Trust: Whether in abundance or adversity, Jesus’ thankfulness revealed His unwavering trust in God’s plan. 

Following His Example

Following Jesus’ example of gratitude requires making gratitude a central part of life. 

• Practice Daily Thanksgiving:  Make gratitude a regular part of your day. Whether it’s through prayer, journaling, or simply pausing to reflect, take time to thank God for His blessings, both big and small.
• Give Thanks in All Circumstances: Like Jesus, we can express gratitude during times of abundance and challenge. This doesn’t mean ignoring pain or difficulty but choosing to trust God through it all.
• Acknowledge God’s Sovereignty: When you thank God, remember it’s an act of worship. Take moments to recognize His power, wisdom, and love, praising Him for His hand in your life.
• Encourage Others with Gratitude: Jesus’ public expressions of thanks often inspired and strengthened those around Him. Share your gratitude with others, building their faith and pointing them toward God’s goodness.
• Seek Humility and Dependence on God: Jesus’ gratitude stemmed from His deep trust in the Father. By humbling ourselves and depending on God, we can cultivate a similar heart of thankfulness, open to His revelations and blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving

Jesus showed us that Thanksgiving is more than a seasonal practice—it’s a posture of the heart. His life was a masterclass in gratitude, showing us that gratitude is a powerful expression of trust, faith, and worship. Let’s commit to walking in thankfulness, not just during the Thanksgiving season, but every day, allowing our gratitude to draw us closer to God and shine His light on the world around us.

-Torrance Community Church of Christ

Autumn: The Exemplar of Renewal

Autumn carries a magical charm, the leaves turn brilliant shades, the air grows crisp, and the world around us begins to quiet. As the world around us slows down, shedding the old to make way for the new, it's an invitation for us to do the same. 

Releasing the Old

The leaves lazily drifting downward from the branches from which they grew is a reminder that autumn is a season of letting go. The trees release their vibrant leaves, shedding what has served its purpose, preparing themselves for the stillness of winter. Through this act of surrender, the natural world sets an example for us to follow. In the same way that the trees release their leaves to make room for new growth in the spring, God calls us to release the sins, burdens, and old habits that weigh us down, keeping us from fully embracing the life He has prepared for us.

Letting go is not always easy. It can feel vulnerable to surrender control or to face the discomfort of change. Yet, autumn shows us that through the process of regeneration, there is beauty and strength in release. When we release our sins and lay down our burdens before God, we open ourselves up to His healing and renewal. So, as you witness the beauty of leaves falling, take a moment to consider what God may be asking you to release- let autumn inspire you to let go of the old so that the new can take root and flourish in your life.

Preparing for the New

As autumn fades and winter approaches, the Earth discreetly prepares for what lies ahead. Beneath the fallen leaves and frost-touched ground, the earth is at work, storing energy, enriching the soil, and preparing to burst forth with new life in the spring. This season of preparation is essential; without it, the ground would not be ready to sustain the fresh growth that will follow.

Much in the same way, we need periods of downtime from our busy lives to look inward to refocus on the behind-the-scenes groundwork for our future endeavors. Autumn invites us to pause, reflect, and prepare ourselves for what God wants to do in our lives. Preparing for renewal means aligning our minds and spirits with God’s will so we are ready to blossom anew when the time is right. Take this time to take stock of your spiritual well-being and any areas where it may have become hardened or complacent. This might look like dedicating time to prayer, immersing ourselves in Scripture, or simply embracing moments of stillness to hear God’s voice. When we set aside distractions and refocus on Him, we are earnestly readying ourselves for spiritual growth.

Purposeful Reminiscing 

Harmoniously, as the year draws closer to an end, the vivid hues of autumn dwindle into softer tones. Deep within the soil, trees tuck away precious nutrients in their roots, a quiet reservoir of strength that whispers life through the long, silent winter. Likewise, this hushed lull provides an opportunity for us to look back over the past year, taking note of and drawing strength from God’s thorough commitment and loving presence in our lives. 

Make time to decompress and recollect the abundance of blessings that have made an appearance over the last eleven months. Consider the highs and the lows- the unexpected provisions, answered prayers, trials, and the courage to endure; seek to recognize all of the hidden ways that He carried you through challenges, provided for your needs, and renewed your spirit. Celebrate His love that has seen you through another year and take comfort in knowing that the same God who was faithful yesterday will continue to be faithful in the days to come.

Laying the Groundwork for the Future

A testament to the belief that the efforts of today will yield blessings in the future, farmers use this time to plant seeds that will lie dormant throughout the winter, awaiting the enticing warmth of spring to trigger their growth. In this regard, Autumn encourages us to focus on the long game. Like the farmer who trusts that buried seeds will one day bring forth life, we must trust that God is at work beneath the surface, preparing something beautiful to bloom. 

Now is the time to invest in the unseen— Every small act of faith, every moment spent in God’s presence, and every seed of love we plant will eventually bear fruit.

Accepting Autumn’s Call

From its colorful and bright colors to its gentle descent into winter, Autumn offers us a precious opportunity to mirror the natural world by letting go of the old to prepare for what lies ahead. When we answer this call, we can enter the coming months rejuvenated and ready to experience the fullness of God’s love and the new beginnings He has in store for us.

-Torrance Community Church of Christ