Sunday Thought – 15.12.24

Christmas is rapidly approaching! Large amounts of money are being spent on decorations, food, drink and, perhaps most of all, presents.

When the Magi brought their gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh to the baby Jesus, these were not totally random gifts. Christians regard them as being symbolic of particular aspects of Jesus’ position as the Son of God. 

GOLD is often representative of royalty and in Revelation 17:14 Jesus is called the “King of Kings” (NIV).
FRANKINCENSE was regularly used in worship in the Jewish temple in Jerusalem and elsewhere. It therefore symbolises Jesus’ role as a High Priest (Hebrews 4:14).
MYRRH was often used as an embalming substance and highlights the ultimate reason for Jesus’ birth: his death on a cross. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (NIV, 1 Timothy 1:15).

As you (hopefully) enjoy the annual giving and receiving of gifts this year, take time to remember the first Christmas and its gifts for the very special baby born then.

Prayer Points for the Week:

• Pray for those struggling with physical illnesses, particularly those affected by this year’s flu and covid.
• Pray for the people of Georgia fearful over their current government’s course of actions.
• Please pray for the situations in Ukraine and the Middle East. For peace; for aid to get through to those in need; for those mourning the loss of loved ones.