Recently, my 9 year-old nephew bought a birthday gift for his best friend that cost a considerable amount of money for him.
“Wow!”, I said, “You had that much money on you?”
“Yes!” he quipped. He had saved up some pocket money and had bought a toy which he thought his best friend would like, at the spur of the moment.
“Speaking of birthday gifts, do you know who has the most memorable birthday in the Bible?” I asked.
Yes, that’s right, Jesus.
He hardly received any birthday gifts in His time on earth, but the three gifts that the Magi brought were good examples in teaching us how to give thoughtful gifts.
“And opening their treasure boxes, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.”
Matthew 2:11
Firstly, we learn that the Magi probably had many treasures, but chose what they thought was the most suitable for Jesus.
- Gold
A suitable gift for a king. And definitely a practical gift for Jesus as His parents would soon need the money to flee to Egypt to escape from the murderous intent of Herod.
- Frankincense
Usually used in perfumes and in religious sacrifices, frankincense was an apt gift for Jesus, Who came as the Great High Priest for mankind. Frankincense thus alluded to Jesus’s role as a priest.
- Myrrh
A highly valued item like frankincense, myrrh was thought to be used in anointing oil. It had anti-inflammatory and pain-killing properties, which would be suitable for Mary since she had just given birth. Myrrh was also used in embalming – an apt gift since Jesus had come as the ultimate Sacrifice for man’s sin.
The gifts were also used to help finance Jesus and His parents’ resettlement in Egypt when Herod was killing all the young boys in Israel.
In addition to being financially valuable, the gifts that the Wise Men brought held special significance for Jesus, and were not just for Jesus, but also for His Mother.
The thoughtfulness of the gifts lay in the fact that the Wise Men considered the needs of Jesus’s Mother too.
How many birthday gifts have been given to a birthday child’s mother, who had given birth and nurtured the child whom you cherish so much that you want to express your love for?
Mothers should be appreciated on their children’s birthdays too!
“Perhaps, with the budget you had, you could have considered including a gift for your friend’s mother, to appreciate her for giving birth to a wonderful child who has become your best friend!” I explained to my nephew.
“If you had also given a gift to your friend’s mother, imagine the impression she would have had of you – a really thoughtful boy. She would surely always be encouraging of you and your best friend hanging out together,” I added.
By now, my nephew was nodding in agreement, and amazed at the new ideas that he was hearing for the first time.
The thoughtfulness of a gift lies not just for the recipient, but also for his family members. In the case of a birthday, the child’s mother is an important recipient too.
“Many curry favour with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.”
Proverbs 19:6 NIV
In giving a birthday gift to your best friend and his mother, you would have made two friends through your gifts!