After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”…When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”  Matthew 2:1-2, 10-11
 
 
Memories of my childhood often include one of my aunts. Although she had nineteen nieces and nephews and a meager salary, every year she purchased Christmas presents for each of us. What made those packages special was her penchant for creating the most gorgeously wrapped packages on the planet, ones that would cause even Martha Stewart to be envious. My favorite wrapped delight held a Christmas elf on top, dressed in red and green with an adorable pixie face and a secret pouch in the back which appealed to my eight or so year-old self.
 
In our key verses today, the Magi, often referred to as the Wise Men or the Three Kings, traveled a great distance as they followed a star that would lead them to Jesus, the Messiah, the King of the Jews. Historically, this day is known as Epiphany and is typically celebrated in many cultures on the 6th of January. This event is amazing to me for several reasons. First, the Magi traveled for a couple of years before they reached Bethlehem to worship a king they did not know. I have to ask myself what my worship looks like and am I willing to spend time worshiping my Lord? Secondly, their worship flowed from a place of joy. Of course, after traveling so far, they probably were glad to just be there and they may have been discouraged earlier when, for a time, they didn’t see the star. But, regardless, their worship flowed from a deep place centered in joy. Do I worship from a place of joy or from a sense of obligation? Lastly, the Three Kings each brought costly gifts to lay at Jesus’ feet. While gold, frankincense, and myrrh seem unlikely offerings for a toddler, I’ve come to realize that Mary and Joseph needed those tangibles when later they fled to Egypt. They required something valuable to trade for food and lodging as they traveled and then settled in a foreign land. God knew exactly what they needed.
 
Sometimes God’s gifts to us come in unlikely packaging. Sometimes it’s obvious, like my aunt’s presents that were all wrapped up in shiny paper with sparkling bows and curly ribbon and maybe a special treat on top. Other times, a box wrapped in brown paper packaging tied up with string isn’t so obvious. Unless we take the time to unwrap it, we won’t know what’s inside.
 
How many gifts from God have I missed because they didn’t look attractive on the outside or they weren’t shiny enough to catch my attention? Or I was simply too busy to notice? God gives me gifts every day:  a gorgeous sunset, the laughter of my children, and the beauty of a colorful flower. Delicious aroma of home-cooked food or the scent of coffee wafting through the air are spiritual gifts in the mundane.
 
Celebrate Epiphany in a new way this year. Unlike the Magi, we don’t have to travel far and long to worship the King. Every day is a gift from God. All we have to do is take the time to unwrap the package and joyfully worship the Giver.
 
Lord, You are my King, the Giver of life itself. You alone are worthy to be praised. Help me be aware of Your wonderful gifts to me in the everyday. Thank You for the joy that abounds when I spend time with You in worship. In the Name of Jesus, the Messiah, the King of Kings, Amen.
 
 
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Text and photo copyright © 2016 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of tulip from the garden of Abbotsford, home of Sir Walter Scott, Melrose, Scotland.
 
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”   Romans 5:3-5
 
 
Heading toward the security line, I had just checked my suitcase for a recent international trip. Ahead of me was a sign that read “Upgrade Yourself to First Class”. I sighed. I’d be cramped into a coach seat on an overnight flight, knowing that I’d get precious little sleep and have to “hit the ground running” when I deplaned.
 
Passing that disconcerting sign, I rounded the corner in the terminal only to spot a store called “Indulge”. “What an indulgence it would have been to have upgraded myself to first class”, I thought. As I glanced at the store window, it was obvious this was an indulgence of a different kind:  chocolate!
 
Having time to think as I waited in the security line, I pondered the whole idea of upgrading and indulging. We don’t have to be at the airport to encounter these temptations. They are all around us, particularly at Christmas time when the marketing folks are working overtime to convince us we need whatever they are selling.
 
How many lies do we encounter every day in our culture? What sort of advertisements tell us daily that if we only buy their product, we will look young and beautiful or have a lifestyle that looks opulent and trouble-free? Most goods are ones we don’t actually need, but they appeal to our wants and desires.
 
Reflecting on what marketing strategies typically ensnare me, I realize that often I’m looking for what will make my life easier. The twin gods of Comfort and Convenience call to me like the Sirens in Greek mythology, enticing me to come ashore only to have me shipwrecked on the rocky coast and drowned in a pool of deceit. The goods sold rarely live up to the hype.
 
God doesn’t call us to a comfortable life. He is more concerned about our character. John 16:33 says in this world, we all will have losses, troubles, and heartaches. No one is exempt, even someone who seems to have it all together. Character is forged in our sufferings, not in our comfort and convenience. Building character is ultimately the result of how we respond to our sufferings. Giving into the marketers’ lies and indulging ourselves in comfort and convenience can be a coping mechanism for our own hurts. Character-building starts with the choices we make every day. Ultimately we will be like Christ (1 John 3:2) but developing character is a process. It’s not microwavable. There are no instantaneous results.
 
The good news is developing character produces hope (Romans 5:4-5). If we allow God to work in our hearts, we will come through suffering stronger than before and will be walking closer with our Savior, able to trust Jesus through life’s difficulties. The hope created by character is found in God’s love for us (verse 5) which He pours into our hearts by His Spirit.
 
This holiday season, let’s focus on comfort and convenience – but not our own! Giving to those less fortunate than ourselves, offering God’s love and comfort to those who are hurting, and extending hope to those in despair are gifts we can indulge in now and throughout the New Year. The choice is ours – to indulge ourselves or to help others. When we make the right choice, we’ll find we’re allowing God to build our character to become more Christ-like. And that’s an endeavor worthy of indulgence.
 
 
Heavenly Father, especially at this time of year, I pray You will open my eyes to opportunities to give Your comfort to others, rather than thinking about my own comfort and convenience. Even in the midst of my own heartaches, may I focus on You as I reach out to help others. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
 
 
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Text and photo copyright © 2016 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved.  Photo of fern growing through the sandstone at Sweetheart Abbey, New Abbey, Dumfries, Scotland.
 
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.  Used by permission of Zondervan.  All rights reserved.