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What if the very first Christmas wasn't just about receiving a gift

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but about recognizing the greatest gift ever given, and learning how to share that gift with the world.

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Today on Bible Bites, we'll explore the gifts of Christmas from the treasures that the wise men brought to honor Jesus.

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to the divine gift that God gave humanity in his son.

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We gather here today with open heart.

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And night to grow in faith and truth in every word we find the pages of the word, alive and full of grace, inspiring faith with

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As we seek his face, Bible bites, Bible bites, starring faith one bite at a time.

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With every first we find our way to live our lives in his light and shine.

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Welcome to Bible Bites, the podcast where we work to inspire

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faith one bite at a time.

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I'm your host Randy Black.

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In this special Christmas episode, we're exploring the first gifts of Christmas.

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ultimately with the goal to recognize God's greatest gift to us.

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We're going to look at the gifts the wise men brought to Jesus, and then reflect on the the ultimate gift He gave us eternal life.

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hope, and the presence of God in our lives.

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Before we begin though, let's open up in a word of prayer

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Heavenly Father, we thank you for the incredible gift of your Son, Jesus Christ.

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As we reflect on his birth,

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Help us to see the lessons hidden in the gifts brought to him by the wise men and the profound gift that you gave us through him.

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Open our hearts to understand your word and guide our thoughts so that we might live lives that reflect your love, generosity, and worship.

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In the name of your son Jesus we pray.

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Amen.

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So let's start with something tangible.

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The gifts of the wise men or magi that they brought to Jesus.

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Matthew chapter two, verses one through t one through twelve tells us this.

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Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, Magi from the east arrived in Jerus Jerusalem, saying

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Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?

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For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.

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And going into the house they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and

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They fell down and worshipped him, and opening their treasures they presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

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Each of those gifts carries a very deep meaning.

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Gold

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Gold honored Jesus' kingship and acknowledged him as the King of Kings.

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It was more than a monetary gift.

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It was a a recognition that Jesus was no ordinary child.

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Gold symbolized the value of who he is, the ruler of the universe.

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Frankincense.

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Frankincense is a fragrant incense that's used in worship, and it pointed to his divinity and his holiness

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By giving frankincense, the magi were essentially saying, we see you as holy, worthy of praise, worthy of worship.

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And myrrh.

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Myrrh often used in embalming and in anointing foreshadowed his sacrificial death

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It reminds us that even in his birth, there were glimpses of the mission that he would fulfill to bring salvation through sacrifice

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These gifts weren't just valuable items.

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They were acts of worship, recognition, and devotion

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They modeled giving that comes from the heart, gifts that communicate understanding and that honor their recipient

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Think about that for a moment.

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Gifts can be more than what's in the box.

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They can express our love.

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Reflect our understanding and acknowledge the significance of the one we're honoring.

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The Magi set that bar high.

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They gave gifts that pointed to who Jesus was

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And what he would ultimately accomplish.

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The gifts of the wise men point us to an even greater gift, though.

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The gift God gave the world in Jesus.

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John 3.

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16 says, For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life.

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Jesus Himself is the ultimate gift.

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His birth brought hope into a dark and broken world, peace to hearts burdened by sin, and the promise of eternal life

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For all who believe.

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First John chapter 4, verses 9 and 10 adds this

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By this the love of God was manifested among us, that God has sent his only son into the world so that we might live through him

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In this is love, not what we have loved God, but what that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins

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Isaiah 9, verse 6 gives us a deeper picture of the gifts that Jesus brings.

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For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us.

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and the government will rest on his shoulders, and his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace

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Each title is a gift in itself.

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Wonderful Counselor gives us guidance and wisdom in times of confusion and of uncertainty

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Mighty God brings strength and protection for our lives.

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Eternal Father offers an unending sense of security and presence

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And Prince of Peace gives calm and reconciliation in the midst of chaos.

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These gifts, they're not temporary.

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They last forever.

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Unlike the wise men's gold, frankincense, and myrrh, which could be used up or spent, the gifts of Jesus are enduring and transformative.

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Just as the Magi gave gifts out of understanding and worship, we're invited to recognize the magnitude of this gift and to let it transform the way we live, the way we give.

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and the way that we love others.

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So what does this mean for us today?

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Well let's take a look at a few examples here

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The first is that we must recognize God's gifts.

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Take time to reflect on the hope and the peace God provides through Jesus

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I remember a few years ago, you know, being stressed over the preparations for the holiday and the chaos of life that surrounded that.

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And I sat quietly one evening and started reflecting.

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Reflecting on God's promises.

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That simple moment reminded me that even when understanding feels out of control, the peace and hope that Jesus offers

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They are always available.

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We need to make sure that we give in response.

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Our gifts to others can take many forms.

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You know, I've worked in education for almost 20 years, and I've heard about families who couldn't afford Christmas presents for their children.

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So people like their neighbors, the teachers and staff at their children's school stepped up and pitched in and purchased gifts for those children, gifts that were thoughtful, gifts that were from the heart.

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And I remember one child came back and he heard that people had done this for him.

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And the gift was nothing spectacular, but he treasured it.

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Because that child knew that that gift came from love and with love.

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Giving doesn't have to be extravagant.

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It's the thought, the care, and the intention that reflect God's love.

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Just like the wise men gave gifts that pointed to who Jesus is.

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We need to make sure that we share the gift

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Sometimes the most meaningful gift we can share isn't wrapped in paper at all.

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A friend shared with me a story of a woman who volunteered at a local shelter near near us here.

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She served meals and spent time with the elderly, who had no family nearby.

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The joy that she brought

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And ultimately received, reminded everyone that sharing God's love can be the most valuable gift of all.

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And finally, we need to reflect on purpose.

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The wise men gave gifts that symbolize Jesus' kingship, divinity, and sacrifice.

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What can our gifts this Christmas reflect about God's work in our lives?

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Maybe it's it's taking the time to encourage a friend or send someone a letter of gratitude.

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We're simply listening deeply to someone who's in need.

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Small acts that are given with love can point others to Christ, just as the Magi's gifts pointed to him as well.

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Christmas is not only about receiving.

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It's about seeing, understanding, and responding.

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Just as the Magi brought meaningful gifts to honor Christ, we can live in a way that honors Him every day, letting our own gifts, big or small, reflect His love, hope, and peace.

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Let's close out with a word of prayer.

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Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the greatest gift of all, your Son Jesus Christ.

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Help us to recognize and cherish his gifts and to reflect them in our own giving, worship, and daily lives.

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May we share your love and light with others, just as the wise men shared their treasures in worship.

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We pray these things in the name of your Son Jesus.

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Amen.

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Thank you for joining me on Bible Bites for this very special Christmas episode.

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I hope that you remember that the greatest gift has already been given

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and that your hearts overflow with gratitude, hope, and love this holiday season.

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Until next time, please continue to reflect on the wonder of God's gifts.

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And join us here on Bible Bites, the podcast where we work to inspire faith one bite at a time.

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Bible Bites.

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Bible bites.

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Inspiring faith.

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One bite at a time With every verse we find our way To live our lives in his life and shine

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Bubble bites, bubble bites, inspiring faith one bite at a time.