'They presented gifts to him: gold, frankincense and myrrh.'
Santa Claus is coming to Town
'He's making a list, and checking it twice,
Gonna find out who's naughty or nice...'
So gift giving is right at the heart of the Christmas story, though it's a little different the way it happens now.......although St. Nicholas, the 4th century bishop who was so loving and generous, I'm sure was a great guy. Maybe things have got a little out of hand, but giving is also central to the heart of following in Jesus' footsteps. Jesus, himself, said that it is more blessed to give than to receive. (See Acts 20:35)
Someone else who features in our Christmas traditions to do with goodwill is King Wenceslas, who, according to the song, went out of his way to help the poor. One chilling prediction that Jesus made is that as we reach the end of the age,
'"Such will be the spread of evil that many people's love will grow cold."'(Matt 24:12 GNB)
The best way to keep our love flowing, I reckon, is to stay close to the Lord Jesus.
Here is a verse of the famous carol:
"Sire, the night is darker now
And the wind blows stronger,
Fails my heart, I know not how,
I can go no longer."
"Mark my footsteps, my good page,
Tread thou in them boldly.
Thou shalt find the winter's rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly."
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