“Then opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh”. Matthew 2:11b ESV
All of our dogs have Christmas Stockings. They are filled with toys and treats for them to enjoy and fight over on Christmas morning. Danni always enjoyed hers, savoring one item at a time but when there was more than one dog in the household it wasn’t that calm. Everyone had been up late Christmas Eve, including the dogs. This makes for some grumpy, tired doggies who are jealous anyway so the gifts ended up high on a shelf to stop any potential fights.
Not so that first Christmas. The wise men journeyed from afar and their gifts were presented before the newborn king with worship and adoration. They bowed before him as they presented their gifts. The gift of gold was a gift for royalty. The wise men were acknowledging Jesus as King.
The royal king of heaven had been born in a lowly stable. The angel proclaimed that he would be given the name Jesus as he would save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). Now, we can come boldly into the Holy of Holies to offer our gifts (Hebrews 10:19).
The Old Testament records the priests going into the inner sanctuary to present the sacrifices. I Kings 6:20-22 tells us that the Most Holy Place was overlaid with pure gold. Solomon covered the inside of the temple with gold and gold chains hung across the front of the inner sanctuary when he built the temple. The whole interior was gold and the altar that belonged to the inner sanctuary was also gold. The King of Kings resided there.
The King humbled himself and became man (Philippians 2:8). He left his heavenly home and was born in Bethlehem. The wise men presented him with a precious metal befitting his kingly status. He grew and willingly hung on a tree for you and me. He ascended to the Father and presented the perfect blood sacrifice in the Holy of Holies for our sin (Hebrews 9:12). Now as we come boldly into the presence of God we can worship and adore him at Christmas and everyday.
What gifts can you offer the king? We can bow before him in adoration and praise just like the wise men of old. An offering of ourselves to worship the newborn king!
Just Another Dog Devotion 