December 12, 2022
Monday
Early Traditions
John 3: 10-17
14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:”
Many of our Christmas traditions are very old. We typically date nativity scenes from the time of Francis of Assisi; Christmas trees from the time of Martin Luther; and greeting cards from Victorian England. But a few traditions are as old as the Nativity itself. For example, the singing of Christmas carols was started by the angels, and the custom of gift-giving was begun by the Wise Men.
Their gifts had spiritual significance—the gold pointed to Christ’s role as King; the frankincense to His role as Priest; and the myrrh pointed to His role as Savior and to His redeeming death. But these gifts were also practical, for they conveyed financial value. Some scholars believe it was God’s way of providing Joseph and Mary the funds needed to flee to Egypt and raise their baby in a foreign but safe environment.
How wonderful when our gifts can be both meaningful and practical!
A point to ponder…
But wait! There’s a mistake in today’s devotion—did you spot it? Christmas gift-giving didn’t start with the Wise Men, did it? No, its origin is even older.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son….
Read the Bible through in a year
I love you!!!
© 2000-2022 B. Michael Goerlich