A gift like the Magi

Those of you who know me, know that I am strongly impacted by music. Because of the talents that I believe the Lord has gifted to me, I communicate with Him through melodies, lyrics, and instruments (although He may not always enjoy the chicken-plucking I call playing the piano… haha). You also may know that in mega-ministry, Christmas program preparation starts many, many months before the socially acceptable “Christmas music listening” date. 

Well, since MAY, I’ve been so incredibly blessed to hear the music we will be doing here at Prestonwood.  Listen ya’ll… I need to say that the anointing of God was on Bradley Knight when he came up with this stuff. It’s BRILLIANT. I believe the music is some of THE best arrangements of Christmas music… EVER. I mean, I’ve heard some great Christmas music in my short life, and they are wonderful, beautiful, and has had an impact on me. But, the Lord has seriously gifted him with some just flat out fantastic work this time around. (Ministry plug: If you live in Plano… you HAVE to experience it live at The Gift of Christmas on December 12-16. Trust me. Yes, there will be a live nativity too.) 

Even though I heard this stuff 5 months ago, just like any musician, practice makes better, so I put the rehearsal CD in my car while I’m driving around town doing my little errands. I tend to listen to music a lot louder when I’m alone, so at this particular time, it was cranked. Without giving away too much of “The Gift of Christmas”, let me just say that there’s a 21 minute piece that is out of this world, and it tells the story of the birth of Christ from Gabriel  to the Magi. The word that always comes into my head when listening to this one song is “epic”. Which, when you get down to it, the story of Christmas is epic! God became a man, and dwelt among us. The best part? It’s not just a legend! It’s true! 

I hope I never get over the fact that Jesus left the glory of heaven and came to earth, knowing it would all end in a tragic and horrific death. And all of that was so that I wouldn’t have to pay the penalty for the mean, ugly, despicable things I do. 

Do me a favor and make yourself a fly on the dash of my card. Fast-forward the CD with me to the moments just before the wise men, or Magi, come into town. Up to this point, except for the angelic proclamation, the music has been melodic and nothing too flashy, kind of like the shepherds. Then, all of a sudden, the music makes you feel like something big is happening. If you close your eyes it’s as if you are on the streets of Bethlehem. You can hear the thunder of camels hooves and the tinkering of the gold and treasures being carried by many servants getting louder and louder as it comes closer. Perhaps you can hear the marching song played on the lute and a hand drum. Then before you know it, you open your eyes and an entourage surrounds a man dressed in regal robes and an ornate purple turban. He's being carried by four strong, well dressed servants in a sedan chair. They all march past you in whirl of splendor. You turn to watch where they are going and you see a small, dingy cave hollowed into a grassy knoll. There’s a bright star hanging over this stable and the caravan slows. You see the man getting out of the sedan chair, walk to the small boy standing at the entrance clinging to Mary’s hand. Without hesitation, the man throws up the back of his robe as he takes a knee. He unwraps his turban and a servant brings forward a chest with large hunks of gold and presents it to Jesus.  

Many Bible scholars say that these men came when Jesus was probably two years old. But regardless, the Magi came from the East, which indicates that they had a bit of travel time, and, there were probably a LARGE group with them. (Read Matthew 2:3 – Herod AND ALL of Jerusalem knew about it. Listen to Chuck Missler’s commentary on it). These men were often known as the wise men, teachers, priests, physicians, astrologers, seers, or interpreters of dreams. They were a big deal. These weren’t just ordinary men traveling by themselves.  In fact, Missler indicates that it’s quite possible that these men were regarded as the men who would appoint the King for the Parthian Empire. No wonder Herod was a little concerned when these men came into town and went to pay homage to the boy! Regardless, it was significant that they were here. 

But they did more than just pay homage to Jesus. They brought gifts. There’s only three that were mentioned, but I’m sure that was not all that was given to the Savior. 

It took quite a bit of humility for these men of such stature to get down from their thrones and bow down before a child. They knew there was something different about this child. They knew that He was worthy of their adoration. Jesus hadn’t even performed any miracles yet! No blind men could see yet, no lame man walked on Jesus’command. A star pointed them to Him (the heavens telling the glory of God!), and they knew. He was not just any boy. 

I’m not trying to be self-deprecating or falsely humble, but let’s just be honest here. There is nothing in my earthly identity that gives me any right to be “somebody”. I’m actually a nobody. I came from a family with no royal ties. We don’t have politicians, professors, or doctors too close in our line. I have a college degree, but in today’s world, that’s not something that sets me that far apart from my peers. The ONLY thing that makes me special is that I have an identity in Christ. I am His creation - His daughter - and I’ve given my life to serve Him. 

Perhaps I’m just a little late to the party because I’m so moved by these men and their actions. Or perhaps I’m just so overwhelmed when I think  that I tend to let my pride and my selfishness put me back up on that throne of mine, when I’m supposed to be bowing to Jesus. Perhaps I’m asking myself why I so often hold on to, with clenched fists, those things that belong to Him, when the Magi gave Him gifts far better than my little offerings. And then I ask myself, why it seems so easy to attempt take the glory from Him when things are going well? 

It takes quite a bit of humility to get down from our thrones and bow down before the King of kings and Lord of lords because it takes the focus off of me and puts it all on Him. 

Malachi 2:2 says “’If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to My name,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings.’”

This warning is severe. If you look at the original language and the different things that those words mean, we realize that if we do not turn our attention and affection to giving glory and honor to the Lord, then those things that are dearest to us, those things that we love doing or love having, will turn into the things that cause us the most pain and grief. 

It’s not about us ya’ll. It’s ALL about Him. You don’t have to give the Lord gold or precious and expensive perfumes to glorify Him. Just the simple act of worshipping Him and giving Him the glory EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIFE is all that He asks for. A gift like the Magi… that’s what I wanna be known for bringing to the Savior of my soul.