Epiphany Sermon Starter

Topic: The Gift of Receiving
Text: Matthew 2:1-12

by Bass Mitchell

I can never think of the story of the wise men without remembering
something two little children said concerning it.

One was asked by his Sunday school teacher, "What gifts did the
wise men bring the Christ Child?" He replied, "Uh, gold,
frankinstein and mermaids."

And other little boy, "Gold, frankincense and myrrh? I bet he really
wanted a puppy."

What does the Christ Child really want from us? What gifts can we
bring?

This reminds me of a Christmas card I once had that shows Jesus
sitting up and saying to the magi presenting gifts of gold,
frankincense, and myrrh:

"The camel, that's what I want! I want the camel!"

What does the Christ Child really want from us? What gift can we
bring?

I think the gift we can give the Christ Child that he really wants is
the gift of receiving.

You see, we get things a little backwards at Christmas time. So
much of our time and effort goes into US giving gifts, and this is
good. The older I get the more joy I get out of giving gifts than
getting them. But the heart of Christmas is not about US giving, but
GOD giving, and US receiving. The gift Christ wants from each of
us this new year is accepting him, receiving his love, his grace, his
forgiveness into our hearts and lives...of reaching out with hands of
faith to receive him as Savior and Lord...

How might you give Christ the gift of receiving this new year? ow
might you accept what he has to offer?

I’ve always loved this verse:

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part; Yet
what I can I give him - Give my heart.
(Verse 3 in the hymn "In the Bleak Mid-winter" by Christina
Rosetti.)
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Bass Mitchell,
HOMILIES & BIBLE STUDIES BY E-MAIL
Check out my web site at www.homiliesbyemail.com
homilies@homiliesbyemeail.com