Let's take a quick break from the love series and smell the air around us. To me it smells of rain and a hint of vanilla, cinnamon and freshly baked cookies. Yup, September is ending and the scent of Christmas is just around the corner.
The Philippines celebrates the longest Christmas season in the world. Starting September, malls are printing their SALE signs, holiday hymns are being played on every speaker and dancing Santa Clause is probably warming up for his appearance in store windows.
They say the best way to prepare for Christmas is to save as much, so you can give much. But what i've been learning lately is that generosity is giving not only our money but our hearts and lives to God and others.
What does a generous heart look like? The Magi or who we know most commonly as the Three Kings is a slam dunk example.
Scholars say that The Magi came from different lands. They travelled thousands of miles to see the King of the Jews, Jesus. Back in the day they had no cars. Just imagine the sweat, the sore feet, the stiff backs that came down those days. They were probably a bit cranky and needed rest but the moment they saw Jesus, they didn't complain, ask for a glass of water or act like divas.
They saw Him and responded with joy, worship and gifts!
They saw Him and responded with joy, worship and gifts!
"This is so different from the approach people often take today. We expect God to come looking for us, to explain himself, prove who He is, and give us gifts. When the right attitude should be to seek and worship Jesus today, not for what we can get, but for who He is.
The Magi brought gifts and worshiped Jesus for who He was. This is the essence of true worship – honoring Christ for who He is and being willing to give Him what is valuable to you. Worship God because He is the perfect, just, and almighty Creator of the universe, worthy of the best you have to give." (LASB - NIV)
This Christmas as we write our wish lists and deck our halls, I hope we never forget to put ourselves in the shoes of The Magi - focused solely on the beauty of Christ and giving everything just to be in His presence.
Psalm 63:3 Because Your loving kindness is better than life, my lips will praise You.
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I challenge you to check your hearts and motives for approaching the throne of Jesus. Is it all about what He can give you and less about who He really is?
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Kaye Matriano is an advertising writer.
She makes music using the ukulele and loves writing about travels and God.
She loves pillows and blankets and has a cat named rain.
Her favorite verse is Psalm 27:4
"One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."
You can contact her at: kayematriano@gmail.com
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