- The Gifts We Bring
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Devotion by Shawn & Lisa Freeman
Download CBC’s Advent Devotional, The Gifts We Bring
The first gift given by the magi was the gift of gold. Gold was not just a gift of wealth but a recognition of kingship. They came to see a king. A king that had been promised for hundreds of years.
Can you imagine hundreds of years before Jesus was born, His birth was prophesied, and His people were expectant for a King of Kings? It seems unfathomable, but with our God in charge, that is exactly what happened.
This child king would be and still is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. A Wonderful Counselor. As I ponder that title, it humbles me that His first description is one of counsel. Someone in whom I can place my greatest fears and victories. Someone who holds the secrets of my heart in his hand. He is a trusted confidant and counselor that will never betray me. I can always run and confide in my Mighty God.
Mighty God who spoke our world into existence. Who can make the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, and raise the dead. Who still speaks quietly to our hearts today. To bring change to the world, and He always will.
Everlasting Father. I love my earthly Father. He is a wonderful human, but he is perfectly imperfect. Our Everlasting Father is perfect in every way. He is constant here, before the Earth was formed, and will continue on when it is no more. In a world that changes so quickly and constantly, He is an anchor that keeps me steady.
Prince of Peace-In this time of constant turmoil, this title for Jesus settles my heart. Even though I know our world will never have peace until Jesus returns. Knowing Jesus, the Prince of Peace, having a relationship with him brings peace to his children’s hearts. That internal peace will sustain us until he comes back again.
Jesus, our king, will reign with greatness. His government is one of peace that will not end, where He reigns with justice and righteousness forever. That Child that was born, that Son that was given for all of us. When the magi gave the Christ child gold, they declared his royal status and his kingship. This child was a king, and they recognized it. He was, is, and will always be our King!
Discussion Guide
- Share a story of a cherished gift that you received one Christmas.
- As you reflect on the passage from Matthew and this week’s devotional, what do you hear God say? Where do you see God at work?
- This week’s devotional spoke of the kingship of Jesus. Their offering of gold was a declaration that this child was a king. What does it mean for you that Jesus is king? What does it mean for the world?
- Of the titles given to Jesus (Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace), which one stands out to you?