It's Christmas!

Celebrating Jesus' birthday was great this year! We didn't have much, so we weren't able to give much. What we couldn't give in material gifts, we made up in non-material gifts by helping our kids focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Without Jesus, there'd be no reason to celebrate; there'd be no Christmas.

Speaking of gifts, the Wise Men brought very special, intentional, symbolic gifts for Jesus. Pastor Alwyn explained the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh so well. The gifts were brought by the Wise Men, men who knew the Scriptures because of the system of teaching the Scriptures that was set up by Daniel 500 years earlier. Gold is always associated with deity and royalty; they knew Jesus was a Mighty King. Frankincense was a fragrance and spice the priests made into an oil that they used in the tabernacle and temple; a perfume that represented prayer and was a priestly function. Frankincense represented Jesus' priestly function of bringing fellowship back with God. Myrrh was a burial spice; giving myrrh would be like giving a child formaldehyde. It was a spice used for embalming and it was associated with pain and sorrow.

In helping our kids focus, we were able to focus. Christmas was a true celebration of Jesus' birth and His purpose for coming. I pray my kids always remember why we celebrate Christmas.