Decorating our home for Christmas on Thanksgiving weekend has become a mother-daughter tradition since our oldest was about 2. I remember the first time I gathered the Christmas ornaments and gave her the assignment of placing the smallest ones on the tree’s lower branches.

With Christmas carols playing on the surround sound system, she squealed with delight, mumbling the words of the songs while carefully placing about 20 ornaments on one single lower branch — a memory I captured on camera. It was one of many moments I will forever treasure in my heart.

While carefully unwrapping the manger scene figurines for my foyer table this year, I paused to look closely at the three magi in the set. Draped in ostentatious robes, the artist was careful to portray the paradox of the moment: rich, illustrious men prostrated before a newborn in a feeding trough.

It’s a part of the manger scene that, although historically wrong, is true to its core message. Even though the three kings did not come to the manger but rather to Christ’s humble home in Jerusalem about two years after his birth, Matthew records in his Gospel that they indeed “fell to the ground and worshiped him.” (Matthew 2:11)

Certain characteristics of the three wise men heighten the significance of their worship of Israel’s promised Messiah. First, they were gentile, making them the first gentiles who worshipped Jesus. Secondly, we know that they were intellectuals. They were called Magoi or “magicians” — a known term for Persian philosophers and priests. Thirdly, according to scholars, they were most probably from Arabia, since it is said they came from the East, and Arabia is called the Land of the East in Scriptures.

The gifts they bore were also products of that country: gold — a treasure that was brought as a tribute for Jesus as king; frankincense — a treasure used to honor Him as God with the smoke of incense; and finally, myrrh, to symbolize Jesus’ sacrificial death since myrrh was used in embalming the dead. Each of these gifts was significant. Each of them was priceless. Just as priceless as the long journey these mighty men took, following the light guiding them to Christ.

They knew power, possessions, and prestige, and yet, bowed before a toddler in awe and adoration, setting aside their prominence and pride, thus acknowledging that his presence subdued their earthy position and wealth.

Three kings bowed before a toddler, in awe and adoration, setting aside their prominence and pride, thus acknowledging that their earthy position and wealth were subdued by His presence. #Christmas #Christmas2022 #MerryChristmas…
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I thought about the magi when I came across the third beatitude while studying the Sermon of the Mount:

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”  (Matthew 5:5)

While teaching new concepts of righteousness, Jesus conveyed to his followers that meekness is one of the characteristics that God seeks from us. The meek (or humble) are blessed, or “happy,” as a better translation of the Greek word used in the original text.

Meekness is not a popular word these days, and many equal it to weakness. But meekness, as taught by Jesus, is not adopting a low view of oneself, nor is it discrediting our accomplishments or refuting material blessings. Meekness, in this sense, is characterized by humble submission to God.

• The meek lay aside their pride and bear provocation without having to send back a harsh answer.

• The meek are cool when others are hot and choose to forgive, yet again, instead of calling for revenge.

• The meek lay aside their agenda and make great sacrifices to help others and honor God.

• The meek recognize, just as the three kings did, that even the mightiest are poor before the one who spoke the stars into existence.

Meekness is not a popular word these days, and many equal it to weakness. But meekness, as taught by Jesus, is not adopting a low view of oneself. Meekness, in this sense, is characterized by humble submission to God. #Christmas…
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As I think about this Christmas, when families will gather to celebrate and share gifts, I cannot help but think that so many people dread getting together because of ongoing conflicts.

Regardless of the battles among family members, most will come bearing gifts — a tradition started by the three kings themselves. May their humble submission to God inspire us to remember what Jesus taught us on the Mount that day: Blessed are those who humbly submit to God, offering others peace, forgiveness, and grace.

May this Christmas be a time of reconciliation and peace for our families as we heed the words of the One whose birthday we celebrate.

May this Christmas be a time of reconciliation and peace for our families as we heed the words of the One whose birthday we celebrate.#Christmas #Christmas2022 #MerryChristmas #ChristmasIsComing #TisTheSeason #KeepChristinChristmas
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Tiny lights twinkle.

Cookies substitute entrees at parties.

Our song selection shrinks as we delete in repeating the same tunes.

Little things make us nostalgic and remind us to appreciate what we usually overlook.

Miniature figures remind us of the quaint scene in history that changed eternity.

God has a history of making much of little.

We see this in the celebration of the birth of our Savior.

Jesus incarnate was once the size of a poppy seed- which is comparable to the size of the mustard seed of faith that God says can move mountains.

Jesus, who is fully God, was born as a wee baby, small enough to fit in a manger. Because of Him, we can be born again.

Jesus’s birth, quiet and quaint, was proclaimed by angels who sang to the least of these: shepherds on night shift. They were the first to know that the spotless lamb, the true Shepherd had come.

Jesus humbled Himself to be a dependent baby. Wise men came to gift a child who, at heart, is alone wise and is the source of all wisdom.

Jesus grew from small to man-sized, though as God He cannot be contained.

Jesus, alive in skin and bones in the vastness of the world, was visible and touchable. He was submitted to temptation and suffering just as we are.

Jesus, though able to call a legion of angels and the rightful judge of the world, though able to call down fire, walk through fire, and light a bush without burning it up— hung on a tree to die for you and me. A tree, whittled down to two beams then nailed into a cross.

Jesus choose to be tiny. Jesus opted to be faithful in the little.

Jesus showed that, to God, small is great.

Something to think about when:

Tiny lights illuminate a room.

Bite-sized treats burst with flavor.

A simple chorus entices us to sing with booming voices.

Details effortlessly bring to life what was and what we hope will be.

The story depicted in a plate-sized space speaks peace and love and joy that lasts forever.

It’s the season of small, magnified. 

Let’s praise Him with one woman who believed God’s promise when the fulfillment was too small yet to see:

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!”

–Luke 1:46-47

We’ve got an awful lot of small stuff to behold His greatness in!

What little things bring you to praising God at this time of year?

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