Most everyone knows the Christmas story; the birth of Jesus in a manger (Luke 2:7) and how the Magi came from the east to bow before Jesus and worship him, and to deliver “presents” to Joseph and Mary of gold, incense, and myrrh.

But, even though these presents must have been an incredible blessing to Mary and Joseph, have you thought about how important the “presence” of the magi must have been during this difficult time?

The name of Jesus — Immanuel — literally means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

In this lesson, Mike ponders the value of the most important presents we can give — our presence with those that we love and care for.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Matthew 2:1-12 (NIV)