Four Gifts of Christmas預覽

## Gold - the King’s Gift > For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6 (KJV) King Jesus’ birth was announced by angels, attended by shepherds, and acknowledged by Magi. According to Matthew’s Gospel, Magi were Gentiles from the east seeking to worship the King of the Jews. Their question was specific:  Where is he who has been born King? They did not seek someone who would “become” king.  They were looking for someone who entered the world as King. The Magi were not looking for Herod, installed as Rome’s king over Israel; they were looking for God’s King. When the Magi found Jesus, they honored Him with gifts:  Gold for the everlasting King,  Frankincense for the Wonderful Counselor, Myrrh for the Mighty Warrior, and Worship for the Prince of Peace. Are you like the Magi, searching for a King worthy to receive your gold? Or are you like Herod, sitting on a borrowed throne, completely hostile to the Kingdom of God? The King’s gift of gold recognizes sovereign authority and represents a deliberate transfer of power. As John the Baptist put it, “He [Jesus] must increase, and I must decrease.” Jesus is, and always has been, the everlasting King of creation.  He offers peace to anyone who repents and proclaims Him as their sovereign Lord. > “Born a King on Bethlehem plain, > Gold I bring to crown Him again, > King forever, > Ceasing never > Over us all to reign” > (Three Kings of Orient by John Henry Hopkins, Jr.)