Today is Christmas Day again!

This is a time of Giving & Receiving Gifts among millions of Christians & others; especially among children

On that First Christmas 2,000 years ago there were only 4 Gifts

And this happy morning we will go back in time to see these "Gifts"

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

² Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

³ When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

⁴ And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

⁵ And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

⁶ And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

⁷ Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

⁸ And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

⁹ When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

¹⁰ When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

¹¹ And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

¹² And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

¹³ And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

Wise men were mentioned bearing GIFTS; since three Gifts were mentioned people assume there were "three wise men"

Now look at the Gifts

1) GOLD

GOLD speaks of the Highest Value; Nebudchadnezer, King of Babylon was depicted as the Golden Head and the 1st World Empire on earth. So Jesus being the King of Kings & LORD of Lords is given gold

2) FRANKINCENSE

Frankincense has the word incense which tells us that Jesus is God.

John 1:18 — New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95)

18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God(Theos)  who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

The word Θεὸς (Theos) is God (not Son)

So Jesus is both King & God

60 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

² For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

³ And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

⁴ Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.

⁵ Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.

⁶ The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the Lord.

There was a gift not mentioned - Myrrh

The Jews never expected their Messiah would be killed as "myrrh' was not mentioned then

3. MYRRH

Myrrh has been used for centuries in Egypt to enbalm & preserve dead bodies

So Jesus was born to die. To die for all the sins of all mankind

As the song clearly describes for us all

WE THREE KINGS OF ORIENT ARE

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]

⁶ 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.

⁷ Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

YES!

JESUS CHRIST IS THE GIFT FROM GOD

GOD SENT HIM TO LIVE A SINLESS LIFE ON EARTH, TO DIE FOR US, AND THE 3RD DAY TO BE RESURRECTED AGAIN

ASCENDED UP TO HEAVEN

AND WILL RETURN AGAIN THE SECOND TIME TO EARTH TO REIGN AS KING OF KINDS & LORD OF LORDS FOR EVER AND FOR EVER

People say erroneously, "All religions the same; they teach people to do good so as to earn salvation" No! No! No!

Salvation is "FREE"

A Gift is FREE

See