A new week, a new candle, a new hope, filled with joy. The third candle of the advent candles is joy. In Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Ann Voskamp known for her book 10,000 Gifts has a Facebook page with video’s on Advent https://www.facebook.com/AnnVoskamp/posts/1115627465116093?notif_t=notify_me_page.
What things bring joy to you? For me, seeing people happy such as the contestants winning on Price Is Right, seeing my grandchildren, or doing a kind deed for someone. The Three Kings brought three gifts to Jesus, Gold, frankincense and myrrh. Dr. David Jeremiah in the David Jeremiah Study Bible states we really do not know how many wise men went to see Jesus but because there were three gifts it is said to be three wise men or kings. So why did the Magi bring the gold, most like to finance the trip to Egypt.
According to Why did the Magi bring the gold, frankincense and myrrh, frankincense is a white resin or gum. It is obtained from a tree by making incisions in the bark and allowing the gum to flow out. It is highly fragrant when burned and was therefore used in worship, where it was burned as a pleasant offering to God (Exodus 30:34). Frankincense is a symbol of holiness and righteousness. The gift of frankincense to the Christ child was symbolic of His willingness to become a sacrifice, wholly giving Himself up, analogous to a burnt offering.
Myrrh was also a product of Arabia, and was obtained from a tree in the same manner as frankincense. It was a spice and was used in embalming. It was also sometimes mingled with wine to form an article of drink. Such a drink was given to our Savior when He was about to be crucified, as a stupefying potion (Mark 15:23).Matthew 27:34 refers to it as “gall.” Myrrh symbolizes bitterness, suffering, and affliction. The baby Jesus would grow to suffer greatly as a man and would pay the ultimate price when He gave His life on the cross for all who would believe in Him.
Beloved, Jesus is the reason for the season. Today, I decided my act of kindness was to tip the waitress more that normal.
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