Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Dear Jesus,

I remember when my family’s tradition was that each kid got three Christmas gifts just like you did from the Wise Men: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. For us, that meant one expensive gift, one gift with a worship theme (usually a devotional, but one year it was a musical instrument), and one gift meant to adorn or anoint the body.

Well, I have three gifts of myself that I would like to give to you, Jesus. Please accept these gifts from my heart:

Listening (myrrh) – When I pray, I want to spend less time talking and asking for Your intervention in my problems. Instead, I want to soak in Your presence. I want to be anointed by Your Spirit – whether it comes like the comfort of a warm spring rain or the harsh wave that pushes me toward my strong Rock. I’ll listen for Your leading in my life. And, I promise, I’ll try to obey no matter what the world is telling me.

Learning (frankincense)- I want to spend more time each day in Your word. So often, my Bible time is focused on teaching the kids or answering the discussion questions correctly. From now on, I’ll be setting aside time to dig into different translations, look up how the words were used in Your time, and just let the meaning sink in. As I meditate on Your Truth – on You – I will worship Your awesomeness and glory.

Loving (gold) – You’d think this would be the easiest gift to give, but it’s the one that costs me the most. I’m an outgoing person. It’s easy to say yes to all the fun opportunities offered to me: helping with fellowship meals on Sundays, Bible Study on Wednesdays, youth group on Thursdays, small group on Fridays. It’s easy to call that “loving.” But what about those You’ve given me to serve right here at home? What about spending time with them and building the relationships that will allow me to speak into their lives when they need it. Is my busyness in “service” allowing me to serve in my most important mission field?

And I especially mean to focus on my marriage, Lord. If that relationship is not one that reflects Your love for the Church and her devotion to You, then we are failing you. If my husband doesn’t recognize my deep respect for him, his needs and – yes! – desires, clearly I am not being as obedient to You as I can be. And at the most basic level, what he needs is more of me. As a helper, as a companion, as a lover… in every way to be a help suitable to him.

So that’s what I’d like to give You this year, not for a day but everyday. Hopefully, these will become part of who I am, as I – as we – grow to be more like You. Whether today is Your real birthday or not, and even though I can’t wrap these gifts with a bow: Happy Birthday, Jesus!