Perfect Gifts

Finding the perfect gift is a passion for some and a pain for others. Most of us are somewhere in the middle, not worrying too much either way, but, we all know the perfect gift when we see it. Being human, we all have those “I’ve got to have it!” moments but the sensation of having to get it for someone else is a compelling one. There is a delicious agony that builds through the procurement and on through to the delivery into the hands of that unique recipient you have on your heart. The satisfaction and sweet release gained from their response is priceless.

It is safe to say that God, the lover of our souls, is passionate about gifts. His grace and mercy are just the beginning. To Adam, he gave Eve and a garden to enjoy together. Moses got a shiny face, an awesome staff that came in very handy, and two stone tablets written by God’s own finger. Sarah, Hannah, and Elizabeth were all miraculously given sons. Throughout Biblical history people are healed, restored, and blessed. No charges were applied to their accounts; all were gifts from the hand of our loving Father.

The Apostle Paul tells us of the specific gifts God has given us like the Motivational gifts (Romans 12:6-21), the Spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1-11) and the Ministry gifts (Ephesians 4:11-12). All are measured out perfectly to each of us according to our need and ministry. Used properly, they bring great joy to us and those we serve. Some gifts like patience and poverty are difficult gifts but they bring illumination to those wise enough to offer them back to God. Anonymous gifts that are given to us encourage us in our work and remind us to be kind to everyone lest we offend the giver with our harsh and ignorant words.

One of the more interesting accounts of gift giving is found in the second chapter of Matthew. The account of the three wise men is a story known by every child who ever participated in a Christmas pageant. Although I’ve read many attempts at explaining the rather odd gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, the best explanation I’ve ever read was included in an article on the finishing of fine guitars written by R.E. Bruné, a respected maker and restorer of fine quality classical guitars: “The varnishing of guitars is of course very closely related to the varnishing of wooden items of all types, and formulations for these finish coatings abound in historical documents. In fact, the Biblical account of the gifts brought by the three wise men to Joseph and Mary are related to this. Joseph was a carpenter and the gifts of gold (i.e. money), frankincense (a resin extracted from trees of the Boswellia species of East Africa) and myrrh (another resin extracted from the members of the Burseracae species of trees) represented important and expensive varnish components used in making spirit (alcohol-based) varnishes. These would have been obvious gifts to someone engaged in the trade of carpenter/cabinet maker.” R.E. Bruné, Vintage Guitar, April 2001.

I cannot say with any certainty how much finely made furniture or cabinetry would be appreciated in ancient Israel but I can tell you that where Joseph and his precious family were going it was essential. Immediately after the wise men left an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream telling him to flee to Egypt. Now consider for a moment, in the light of R. E. Bruné’s observation, the perfection of the gifts given by the three wise men. They themselves simply brought the best of what they had to offer from their homelands, but God was providing Joseph with a way to provide for his family in a place with people who appreciated fine things. While we know more about Mary and her response to God, it is clear that God’s relationship with Joseph, as it is with us today, was also perfectly beautiful.

Of course, the most perfect gift ever given was Jesus Christ, Emmanuel. He was and is the sacrifice given for our sins. God’s perfect gift comes bringing with Him the perfect gift: salvation. God gave His own Son, a priceless and extravagant gift of perfect love. The perfect gift, given in bittersweet agony that built through its procurement and on through to the delivery into the hands of that unique recipient God had on His heart: you.

Copyright January 2011, John P. Van Dusen
The painting "The Adoration of the Magi" is attributed to Joseph Highmore 1692-1780