This weekend, we celebrate the great feast of the Epiphany. The Wise Men brought to Christ certain gifts that were fitting for a king. The gold recalls the golden crown on the head of a king along with the scepter of power. The frankincense was a sacred incense used at the altar on specific Jewish high holy days, and it usually accompanied a meal-offering. Myrrh was an oil customarily used to prepare a body for burial. Prior to wrapping the body in burial clothes the person would be anointed with this oil. The Three Wise Men, Melchior, Caspar, and Balthasar brought these gifts to Christ. What gift are you able and willing to bring to the Child in the manger? This Christmas one of our young parishioners handed me a homemade ornament that had her handprint on it with the Baby Jesus in the area of the palm. The ornament read: “I used my hand to make a manger, a place for Jesus to lay. I’ll use my heart so full of love, as a place for Jesus to stay.” Perhaps the gift we can give Him is a heart full of love ~ a place for Him to stay all year round!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!