“Must-haves”

Within the past few weeks, I have been bombarded with sale ads and glossy circulars that seem to be as thick as magazines. Huge sales began after Halloween. News reports showed than on Black Friday consumers stood in line for store sales that began at midnight. Some consumers rose early for 4 am sales and Cyber Monday completed our buying frenzy. On December 26, long lines will appear as people return to stores to exchange the wrong size, wrong color or wrong gift.

One particular phrase in a store ad caught my eye: must haves.  As I turned the pages, I read “more must haves” and the finale was “things you just gotta have!”  Somehow, as I scanned the pages, those must haves weren’t mine. I tend to think that some of the products promoted in TV commercials, print ads or on store shelves didn’t even cross our minds until they were suggested to us and we succumbed to the persuasive argument that we must have them or must buy them for someone else who just must have them!

Imbedded somewhere in our Christmas hustle and bustle is the Christmas story. Most of us could re-tell it from memory. We start with the angel’s announcement to Mary that as a virgin she will bear the Savior.  We move on to Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, tell about Joseph’s dream and then his commitment to Mary despite her stigma. We arrive at the birth of Jesus in a stable, witness visit of the shepherds and finally travel with the wise men as they follow a star leading them to Jesus.

Scripture says that, “When they saw the star they were overjoyed. (Luke 2:10) The wise men knew something was up—they knew something was unusual and very special.  They followed a star and didn’t quite know where it was leading them. Whatever it was leading to, they knew that they must have it!  What would possess a group of magi to follow a star and bring gifts to a stranger, a baby no less?  What made them overjoyed about it?  Our Christmas shopping and much of the season stresses us out; sometimes depresses us, sometimes puts us into debt. But the magi were overjoyed when they saw the star and carried gifts to the stranger. We know from the Bible that these men brought at least three gifts that are specifically mentioned:

            Gold:  The gold symbolized divinity. Gold is used in the Bible from beginning to end; from creation (Gen. 2: 11-12) to heavenly streets of gold (Rev. 21: 18, 21). The wise men brought gold, a symbol conveying that they knew they were looking at God in human form.

            Frankincense:  I just learned that that word means “white” and speaks of holiness.  Frankincense is known for burning freely and leaving nothing behind—no residue. We burn candles and are left with a wick. We burn paper and wood and are left with ashes. When we burn frankincense, we have no residue. It is a sweet perfume and was used in Old Testament sacrifices. So the men following the star also gave Jesus frankincense to symbolize His purity and holiness.

            Myrrh: symbolized suffering and means bitterness. In Bible times, myrrh was used in perfumes and even for embalming the dead. Of the three gifts given to Jesus, only myrrh appeared at the beginning of His life and again when He was buried. Myrrh reminds us of our humanity—how fragile and weak we are and how much we need Christ in our life moment by moment.

            What is your must have this Christmas?  When the wise men saw the star they were overjoyed.  Are you overjoyed today with the good news that came out of a Bethlehem stable—that a Savior who is Christ the Lord came to save each of us from our sins? Are you following the star that leads us to hope and peace? Have you accepted His gifts to us--the gold of salvation and the frankincense of his holiness?  Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me.” (John 14:6) Jesus gives us our real must haves!

Reflection:  Make a list of what you “must have” during the Christmas season. Which of those give you peace, hope, and joy? Do you need to create a new list to reduce your stress? Spend more time with people? Less money on things? Adjust priorities? Simplify the season?