A gift for a child?

DAILY READING

Matthew 2:9-12

FIELD NOTES

Have you ever stopped to consider the gifts the Wise Men brought to honor Jesus? Gold, frankincense, and myrrh aren’t typical gifts for a child. Christ wasn’t born into a wealthy family, Mary and Joseph would have had no use for pageantry. However, the gifts are an important part of the story. Read the words of the classic hymn “We three kings.” It describes the deep meaning behind each of the gifts given to Jesus. Each gift is thought to symbolize the role the Christ would play in the world: gold for a king, frankincense for our God, and myrrh to anoint Him in His death. 

1 We three kings of Orient are; 
bearing gifts we traverse afar, 
field and fountain, moor and mountain, 
following yonder star. 

Refrain: 
O star of wonder, star of light, 
star with royal beauty bright, 
westward leading, still proceeding, 
guide us to thy perfect light. 

2 Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain, 
gold I bring to crown him again, 
King forever, ceasing never, 
over us all to reign. [Refrain]

3 Frankincense to offer have I; 
incense owns a Deity nigh; 
prayer and praising, voices raising, 
worshiping God on high. [Refrain]

4 Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume 
breathes a life of gathering gloom; 
sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, 
sealed in the stone-cold tomb. [Refrain]

5 Glorious now behold him arise; 
King and God and sacrifice: 
Alleluia, Alleluia, 
sounds through the earth and skies. [Refrain]

United Methodist Hymnal, 1989

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• Spend some time this week reflecting on the gifts that the Wise Men gave to Christ. What do you think that they knew of Him when they gave them?

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• Do you know what gold and frankincense and myrrh are? Ask your parent or trusted adult to help you to look up pictures of each and talk about what they are used for.

PRAYER GUIDE

Lord, help us to remember that this season isn’t about gifts or pageantry, but a time to reflect on the gift of Christ – that a baby was able to save the world from its sin and that He will continue to do so again and again. Amen.