As I listened to the Christmas story of the wise men visiting Jesus, I was again struck by the generosity of their gifts.
It wasn't just that they brought gold, frankenscence and myrrh. These are meaningful and prophetic gifts even if they did not know it.
They left their country, traveled long distance by foot or most likely on a camel.
They sacrificed the time to travel there. One speculation is if these wise men were from Babylon in the east (about 1,677 miles or 2,700 kilometers) it would have taken them four to five months traveling a little less than 19 miles or 30 kilometers a day.
They sacrificed time with family and work. Can you imagine an astronomer wakes his wife up and says, "Hey babe, there is a baby that has been born in Bethlehem, but will be moved to Egypt and I am going to go do a baby visit. I will be back in a year or maybe even a little more!"
It also would have required a huge caravan to carry what they would need for the journey and for anyone traveling with them.
The birth of Jesus inspired uncommon generosity and sacrifice.
The birth of Jesus also inspired unimaginable evil. Herod the Great, king of Judea ordered a decree that all two-year-olds and under in or around Bethlehem to be killed when he heard that the King of the Jews was born. This is referred to as the Massacre of the Innocents.
Herod sacrificed others because of his desire for power. Some hearts have moved so close to evil that they no longer are affected by the beauty and gift of a child or the gift of God.
Jesus draws out the passion that is held in the heart. His name alone can cause great joy and inspire unimaginable generosity or cause the evil within to be revealed and unleashed on unsuspecting innocents.
What is revealed in your heart when you hear that God so loved the world that He gave His only so that all who believe in Him will not perish?
I hope it is a yes and you allow the generosity of God to begin teaching you how to be just like Him... generous in all your ways!
