The story of the Wise Men who brought gifts to Jesus has been incorporated as part of our Christmas tradition. In truth, however, it is an Epiphany story. Matthew clearly states that the Wise Men did not go to the manger, but rather "When they entered the house, they saw the Child with Mary, his mother." (MT. 2: 11) By this point in time, Joseph and Mary had apparently found a dwelling in Bethlehem. How old was Jesus?  Probably not old at all, since the Holy Family did not intend to move to Bethlehem as a permanent residence, but rather just went there for the Caesar's enrollment. On the other hand, perhaps they were for some reason detained, as Herod slaughtered all the male children in Bethlehem "who were two years old or younger." (MT. 2: 16) Since Herod simply intended to kill Jesus, there would have been no need to slaughter two-year-olds if Jesus were still a newborn.

Where this story connects so richly with our experience of Christmas is at the point of giving gifts. "And they offered Him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh." (MT. 2: 11) That one verse was the origin of our making gift-giving part of the Christmas experience.

If we reflect deeply on that tradition and what it means in a spiritual sense, then reading the ancient Story brings forth a contemporary Calling. We are divinely "called" to practice the spiritual discipline of gift-giving in a way that honors the newborn Christ. And that goes far beyond purchasing a necktie for Uncle Henry or an iPhone for our teenaged daughter or an X-Box for Junior. Giving in a way that honors Christ means giving in a way that does what he did - it redeems human suffering.

Let's look at just one "for instance," then you can let your mind imagine countless other ways it might apply. Did you know that 3.5 million people die every year from lack of access to clean water? 84% are children (2.9 million annually). Lack of access to clean water kills children at a rate equivalent to a jumbo jet crashing every four hours, 365 days a year. Did you also know that for $10 billion, every person on earth could have clean water? That’s what it would take to eradicate the problem of water sanitation in the entire world -- $10 billion. Now, consider that over against this: Every year Americans spend $440 billion on Christmas gifts. We could provide clean water to every person on earth, and save 3.5 million lives a year, by setting aside $1.00 toward that project for every $44.00 we spend on gifts. Wouldn't it honor Christ if we did that, if we intentionally made a gift this year to a global effort to give children water to drink that won't kill them? Now, fill in the blank about any number of other issues: homelessness, hunger, medical research, take your pick. To make gift-giving spiritual, how about adding just one agency to our gift list? That doesn't mean refusing to buy Uncle Henry his tie.  It simply means adding alongside his name on the list another gift to give - the gift of help or mercy or life to someone who suffers. Ultimately that puts the biblical spirit back into the holiday tradition. As did the Wise Men, we bring gifts that honor Christ.

This Christmas, may you get what you want... and may you give what God wants.