By Sheila Barnett
My eyesight has faded, but my memory remains crystal clear. I can vividly recall the incredible events of those days in perfect detail. I remember the sights, the sounds, the scents, and those strange dreams that occasionally invaded my sleep. Even so, it’s the memory of those three unexpected gifts that I think about most often
Let me introduce myself. My name is Joseph and I’m a carpenter. My wife, Mary, and I raised our children in Nazareth. During that time, we may have appeared to be an ordinary Jewish family, but our story is anything but ordinary.
While Mary and I were engaged, I discovered she was carrying a child that wasn’t mine. In our culture, an unwed pregnant girl could be stoned to death. But I didn’t want that to be Mary’s fate, so I decided to quietly send her away from our community of gossiping tongues and disapproving stares. However, before I had a chance to speak with Mary’s father, I had a dream. This dream was unlike any I had experienced before. It was so real and detailed, that is seemed to be more like a vision. A beautiful angel appeared and told me not to be afraid to take Mary as my wife. The angel explained that her baby had been conceived by the Holy Spirit, will save us from our sins, and I was to name the child Jesus! I awoke with a clear sense of purpose. I would obey the angel’s instructions to marry my fiancée and become the earthly father to God’s own Son! As I began to tell Mary about my dream and my plans, she explained that she had also been visited by an angel with a similar message! We both felt nervous, excited, and happy – all at the same time.
The Roman Emperor at that time was Caesar Augustus. He sent out a decree that all Jews must travel to their ancestral home and register for a census. So, a very pregnant Mary and I made the long journey to Bethlehem. Upon our arrival, I could not find a place for us to stay. Poor Mary was looking extremely uncomfortable, and I was feeling extremely worried when we finally found a place for the night. I wasn’t thrilled that Mary had to sleep in a stable, but at least it provided shelter for us.
That night became the most incredible night of our lives. Baby Jesus was born right there, in that humble stable! I remember feeling so many emotions! I’ll never forget the love I felt for this baby boy as I held Him in my arms. At the same time, I was filled with awe at the thought of this tiny human as Immanuel – God with us! And did I mention feeling completely overwhelmed at the thought of my role as “stepfather” to the Great I AM?!
Not long after Jesus arrived, Mary and I were surprised by a visit from a group of local shepherds. They had been told about the Messiah’s birth from – you guessed it – an angel, and they wanted to see the baby Jesus for themselves. These men were just as amazed as Mary and me at the sight of God’s own Son, sleeping peacefully in a manger. As the shepherds departed, we could hear them praising God and telling others about the birth of this Holy Child.
Our story continues later, with more unexpected visitors. This time, we were surprised by three Magi, also known as astrologers or wise men. They found our house by following an unusually brilliant star in the sky. The Magi knew that it would lead them to the newborn King of the Jews, and they intended to worship Him. After these men spent some time on their knees with Jesus, I was intrigued as I watched them open their packs and present three gifts to Him – gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. I was touched by their generosity, astounded by their devotion, and yet I was unsure of their reasons for choosing those three specific gifts for the Messiah. I wondered to myself, “What three gifts can I give to God’s Son? What do I have to offer Him?” Then I realized that my first gift to Jesus was simply my love. I knew that I loved Him because He was sent to me by God, and I also love Him because He is my Savior.
Shortly after the Magi’s visit, I had another dream. This time, an angel told me to take my family and escape to Egypt because Jesus was in danger from King Herod. Once again, I had to make a choice, and I obeyed the angel’s command. Mary, Jesus, and I lived in Egypt until King Herod died. Then a third dream revealed another angel directing me to take my family back to Israel. Again, obedient to God’s direction, we returned to Nazareth. I hadn’t forgotten about my three gifts to Jesus, and it became clear to me that my second gift to Him was my obedience to God. The Creator of the Universe was leading me along the best pathway for my life, and even more importantly, the lives of my family.
I gave my third gift to Jesus when He was twelve years old. Each year, we traveled to the temple in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. This time, however, after we had departed for home, Mary and I discovered that Jesus wasn’t traveling with our group of relatives and friends as we had assumed. Frightened, we immediately returned to Jerusalem and searched frantically for Him. I was terrified at my thoughts of what might have happened to Jesus, and I could only blame myself. I kept wondering how I could have misplaced the Son of God! I was too scared to sleep. I kept imagining a dream with an angel saying, “Really?? You lost Him?? You had one job!” Finally, after searching for three heart-wrenching days, we found Jesus – alive and well! The wave of relief that washed over me when I saw Him took me to my knees. As I was saying a silent prayer of thanks to God, I glanced at Mary and noticed that the panicked look on her face had been replaced with joy. Jesus was in the temple, talking with the teachers. From the bits of conversation that I overheard, He was asking questions and all those listening were amazed at His answers. Mary told Jesus that we had been anxiously searching for Him, and His response was, “Why were you looking? Didn’t you know that I had to be in my Father’s house?” Neither Mary nor I really understood what He meant, but at that moment, I was convinced that my third gift to Jesus was my trust. I knew, deep in my heart, that I could trust Jesus, even during the most difficult situations. Although I didn’t always understand what Jesus was doing, I could trust that it was always the right thing.
Throughout the years, I’ve learned that my three gifts to Jesus are even more valuable that the gifts of the Magi. The Savior of the World is worthy of our love, our obedience, and our trust. What gifts do you have for Jesus?
References: Matthew 1:18-24; Luke 1:26-35; 2:1-21; Matthew 2; Luke 2:41-52