Gifts 2018: Reflecting in the Spirit of the Magi

Today, January 6, is the Feast of the Epiphany, celebrating God's manifestation through Christ to peoples of all nations, which happened when the Magi presented gifts to Christ, having journeyed from a faraway location to the east to worship Him.

There is symbolism that indicates the gold is to honor Christ as King of Kings, the frankincense to honor His role as the Great High Priest, and the myrrh to recognize the sacrifice He would make to save humanity from sin.

Father Larry McNally, former pastor of Ascension Parish, used this symbolism to reflect on his gifts during his homily on Epiphany Sunday.  I now use this symbolism as a guide, not to review all my gifts, but to reflect on aspects of some gifts I gave and received for the occasion of the Nativity of the Lord on December 25, 2018:

For his first celebration of the Nativity with us, I gave Weasley, my nephew dog, a sizable jar of peanut butter, so he can enjoy licking spoonfuls of it out of his Kong toy. 

Here's Weasley, eagerly sniffing at his first Nativity gift from me, with his tail wagging excitedly, as my brother Eric unwraps it.

It was quite something watch him as his gift was unwrapped.  I gave my Dad a DVD copy of the movie Marley and Me, as I recognize his fondness for dogs.  I gave my Abuela some nice chamomile tea.

My brother gave me some nice books on interesting topics that I look forward to reading--in the From section on the tag, he said it was from him and Weasley.  I was floored to see my parents gave me an Amtrak gift card.  I'm eager for the opportunity to use it, and I have plenty of trip ideas ready for it.  And I think about the gift cards I received in recognition of my efforts as RE teacher.  One gift card I received from the RE office staff I was able to put toward the purchase of food for a family dinner a few days later.

Above all, it was great just being together, especially when Dad brought out a fun game to unwrap presents tied up in lots of shrink wrap.  There is a beauty in being present with one another, just as God has come to abide so closely with us forever in Jesus Christ.

Thanks be to God for encountering His Presence in the Word Made Flesh in the gifts we exchange in celebration of His Nativity.

20+C+M+B+19

(The above is something that is written above the door to the house on the occasion of Epiphany.  The 20 and 19 signify the year 2019.  The letters stand for the traditional names for the Magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar.  The four crosses represent the four seasons.)