The Lesson of Christmas
Posted on December 5, 2005
We know the Bible teaching of Luke 2:1-21 The birth of Jesus at the Inn. But it is from the 40th day of his life that we get our tradition.
The Holy Epiphany – by Lwis Williams
While oftentimes conflicting lore muddles the story of the Magi, those bearing gifts for the Christ child are Caspar of Tarsus, Melchior of Persian and Balthasar of Saba. Weary from desert travel, the Magi humbly offer their gifts. Caspar is young, European and offers gold. Gold finances the Holy Family’s coming flight to Egypt and also symbolizes Christ’s immortality and purity. For his generosity, Caspar receives the gifts of charity and spiritual wealth. Melchior is middle-aged, Persian and offers myrrh. Myrrh is a fragrant gum, which the ancient Israelites believed to strengthen children. This symbol of Christ’s mortality was blended with wine and offered to him on the cross, and also mixed with aloes to wrap his body for the tomb. Melchior receives the gifts of humility and truth. Balthasar is elderly, Ethiopian and offers frankincense. Frankincense is a resin used in incense for worship and also symbolizes prayer and sacrifice. Balthasar receives the gift of Faith. And Christ, humbling himself to become man, offers us the greatest gift of all, the light that forever burns in the darkness.
It is from this occurrence that we derive our tradition for exchanging gifts. The Maji gave of themselves to Christ, and God in return gave them gifts of Charity, Spiritual Wealth, Humility, Truth, and Faith.
It is this tradition that often times gets lost in the often over commercialized and secular way that we have come to celebrate the ultimate gift given us 2000 years ago. The gift of God’s son who was born of a virgin, lived to teach, and died for man’s sin.
Let us not forget these gifts or the teaching of the tradition. It is a good tradition. One that is supposed to remind us that giving of ourselves is most important. And from the act of giving, we receive from the Father of the Universe the gifts of Charity, Spiritual Wealth, Humility, Truth, and Faith.
It is this tradition that we wish to rescue from the jaws of the secularists who wish to remove them from our public lives. It is this tradition that whether you are a Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, or a non-believer, brings out the best of us. The simple act of exchanging a gift from you to another is symbolic of brotherly love, charity, and peace.
I know that I haven’t mentioned the ACLU in this post. But I thought that instead of focusing on issues that divide us, perhaps I would focus on one that brings 85% of the American people together for a few days and weeks a year. When we practice the acts of giving of ourselves, which as Americans we are unmatched in the world.
This past year has shown that the American people respond to pain and suffering. We see someone in need and we give of ourselves. The Tsunami, the many hurricanes, and earthquakes, natural disasters in this past year has shown the world that the people of the United States are a caring people. We are a loving people and we are a giving people. And we get these qualities from our heritage. One built upon Christian values. Don’t let them take it away.
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Syndicate Me
Good post Grib!