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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

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

Life Hacks Straight Out of the Bible

Life can be full of challenges. Fortunately, the Bible is a powerful guide that provides wisdom for confronting everyday stressors. Whether you’re facing stress, conflict, or temptation, Scripture can assist us through life’s ups and downs, helping us tackle daily challenges with faith, grace, and confidence.

Engaging with Difficult People

We’ve all encountered difficult people—an unreasonable boss, an inflexible family member, or a heedless friend. David’s relationship with King Saul is one of the Bible’s most well-known examples of dealing with a difficult person. Despite David’s loyalty and service to the king, Saul’s paranoia and jealousy turned him into a relentless adversary, and he even attempted to take David’s life multiple times. Yet, David refused to seek revenge or respond with anger. Instead, he showed remarkable restraint, choosing to trust God’s timing rather than force a resolution, even sparing Saul’s life twice when he had the chance to end their conflict.

David’s response emphasizes that, while we can’t control how others act, we can control our reactions. We can handle challenging people without letting conflict consume us by staying patient, seeking God’s wisdom, and maintaining a spirit of grace.

Managing Finances

In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus tells the story of a master who entrusts various amounts of money to his servants before leaving on a journey. Two of the servants invest wisely and double their amounts, while the third buries his in fear of losing it. The master rewards the first two for their stewardship and chastises the third for his lack of initiative and the waste of an opportunity.

This parable teaches us that responsible management of our resources is not just about avoiding waste, but also about using what we have to its fullest potential. Whether it’s our finances, time, or abilities— planning ahead, investing, and trusting God empowers us to avoid the pitfalls of fear and inaction, making the most of what we’ve been given.

Finding Peace Among Stress

In the story of Jesus calming the storm, the disciples find themselves in a boat as a fierce storm arises, threatening to capsize them. While the disciples panic, Jesus remains in a peaceful sleep. Fearful for their lives, they wake Him in desperation. With a simple command, the winds and waves are still, leaving the disciples in awe of His power.

This is a powerful reminder that even when life feels overwhelmingly turbulent, we can find peace by trusting in God’s presence and power. Incorporating stress-relief techniques and seeking God through prayer, enables us to navigate our stresses with a sense of calm and confidence, knowing that He is in control.

Maintaining Relationships 

After the loss of her husband and sons, Naomi urges her daughters-in-law to return to their own families. However, Ruth chooses to stay by Naomi’s side, declaring, “Where you go, I will go.” Ruth’s loyalty leads to a deep bond between the two, and eventually, they find a new beginning through their faithfulness to one another.

Ruth’s story teaches us that strong relationships are built on love, loyalty, and selflessness. By showing up for the people in our lives and offering consistent support, we can strengthen our bonds and create lasting, meaningful connections, just as Ruth did with Naomi.

Negating Temptations 

After fasting for 40 days, Jesus is approached by Satan, who tries to lure Him with food, power, and safety. Despite His hunger and isolation, Jesus resisted Satan’s scheme, responding by quoting scripture and standing firm in His faith. 

Jesus’ triumph over temptation reminds us that, though we all face trials, we too can overcome temptation by vigilantly remaining close to God through prayer and scripture. Being proactive and mindful of potential hurdles we can resist temptations and stay focused on living faithfully. 

When in Doubt

As we’ve seen in these stories, the Bible provides a wealth of practical guidance for everyday situations, proving that God’s counsel is always available if we seek it. So, no matter what life throws your way, remember to look to the Bible for insight, comfort, and direction— it’s a guide that never fails.

-Torrance Community Church of Christ