People And Stuff

People and Stuff

The holidays have become about people and stuff. In recent years, “Black Friday” news reports have shown hundreds of people lined up in front of stores for great discounts on electronics and video games. Some people even camp out two or three days in advance to be the first in line. When the doors are opened, the people rush in to get their hands on a limited supply of that must-have item. Needless to say, some people get out of sorts with others in their pursuit, and conflict ensues.

When we read about Jesus’ birth, though, we see the antithesis of what holiday shopping has become. There weren’t crowds of people present at his birth, and there wasn’t anything very appealing about the stuff surrounding him in that stable, either.

But the irony of the birth of Jesus is that it was about both people and stuff. Jesus came to redeem people from sin and death, and we can worship him, as the Magi did, by bringing him a tribute from our things as a sacrifice of praise. Matthew 2:11 states, “They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

I want to challenge you to make this holiday season different. Don’t just make it about people and stuff. Make it about Jesus, and bring to him both your heart and a gift of tribute from that which he has given to you!

They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Matthew 2:11