Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts.

Psalm 96:8

The Magi's journey to Bethlehem was not just a quest to find a baby; it was a pilgrimage to find a King. Their first gift, gold, was a powerful symbol of the glory, royalty, and honor due to the newborn Savior. In ancient times, gold was the most valuable and enduring of metals, reserved for kings and used to create objects of great significance and beauty. By offering gold, the Magi were acknowledging Jesus' divine kingship—that He was not just a teacher or a prophet, but the Lord of all creation, worthy of the highest honor. This act of worship stands in stark contrast to the world's frantic pursuit of wealth and status. The Magi were not seeking to accumulate treasure for themselves; they were giving their most valuable asset to the One who deserved it most.

This act challenges us to consider what our "gold" is—our most valuable resource. Is it our time, our talents, our money, or our ambition? In a season often marked by endless spending and hurried accumulation, the Magi's example calls us to pause and redirect our focus. Instead of worrying about having the "perfect gift" or "big dinner", the unhurried Christian life asks us to present our most valuable assets to God as an act of worship and honor. This is an act of trust, recognizing that true wealth is not in what we possess, but in the King we serve. We can find freedom from the pressure to get more when we choose to give our "gold" back to the One who gave us everything.

What is your "gold"? Identify your most valuable resource (time, talent, or money) and dedicate a portion of it to God.

Questions for Reflection

1. What is the "gold" in your life right now that you find yourself holding onto most tightly?

2. What would it look like to release your grip on that resource and dedicate a portion of it to God as an act of worship this week?

3. How might a mindset of "giving" rather than "getting" transform your experience of the Christmas season?