【双语灵修】献给君王的礼物GIFTS FOR THE KING

马太福音 2:9-12

他们听见王的话就去了。在东方所看见的那星忽然在他们前头行，直行到小孩子的地方，就在上头停住了。 他们看见那星，就大大地欢喜。 进了房子，看见小孩子和他母亲马利亚，就俯伏拜那小孩子，揭开宝盒，拿黄金、乳香、没药为礼物献给他。 博士因为在梦中被主指示不要回去见希律，就从别的路回本地去了。

12月21日

献给君王的礼物

「揭开宝盒，拿黄金、乳香、没药为礼物献给他。」 - 马太福音 2:11

你收到过最好的圣诞礼物是甚么？

多年前，我的岳父母送给我一件厚冬衣和一条工装裤—这是在他们农场的寒冬户外劳动所需的保暖衣物。虽然我的工作不需要在冬日如此保暖，但这套「雪地服」却在我无数次与孩子们冬季户外玩耍时，大派用场。

当博士们在伯利恒找到新生王耶稣时，他们献上礼物作为对他的敬拜。这些礼物在我们看来或许奇特，但在当时却是用于交换日常物品的实用之物。这些礼物既实用又珍贵。

对我们许多人而言，圣诞节互赠礼物是美好的传统，能帮助我们表达对身边人的关怀，正如神关怀我们一样。然而，当我们领受救主耶稣这份礼物时，我们的回应应当是以昂贵又实际的方式，事奉祂，并服侍别人。

一首古老的圣诞颂歌问：「我当何献，贫穷如我？…但我所能，仅献我心。」这个圣诞节，你愿意在敬拜和服侍中，将自己献给基督吗？

祷告

主耶稣啊，你已将最伟大的礼物—你自己—赐给我们作为救恩。当我们在圣诞节享受彼此馈赠时，也让我们在敬拜与服侍中将自己献给你。奉你的名求，阿们。

Matthew 2:9-12

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21

GIFTS FOR THE KING

They opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11

What’s the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received?

A number of years ago, my in-laws gave me a heavy winter jacket and overalls—the kind of warm clothing needed for outdoor work on cold winter days on the farm where they live. My work doesn’t require the same need for warmth on cold winter days, but I have used my “snow clothes” countless times while playing outdoors with our kids in the wintertime.

When the Magi found the newborn king, Jesus, in Bethlehem, they presented him with gifts as part of their worship. The presents they brought may seem strange to us, but in that day they were easily used in trade for purchasing everyday things. These gifts were practical and yet costly.

For many of us, Christmas involves giving gifts to one another. This is a wonderful tradition, and it can help us to express care for the people around us, just as God does for us. When we receive the gift of Jesus the Savior, though, our response should be to set about serving him and others in both costly and practical ways.

An old Christmas carol asks, “What can I give him, poor as I am? . . . What I can, I give him: give him my heart.”

Will you present yourself to Christ in worship and service this Christmas?

Lord Jesus, you have given us the greatest gift—your own self—for our salvation. As we enjoy gifts from one another this Christmas, let us also give ourselves to you in worship and service. In your name, Amen.