By Nick Carney, Endowment and Planned Giving Program Manager
We start a new calendar year with a reading from the Gospel of Matthew. The reading provides a description of the three kings as they travel to visit the newborn Jesus. After their long travel guided by a star, they arrive to find Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in Bethlehem. The kings travel with enthusiasm to express their faith and, with much gratitude, they present the family with the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These are three very valuable and lavish gifts for a family of limited means. I am sure the gifts astounded Mary and Joseph as they welcomed their newborn.
When I reflect on this reading and these gifts, I wonder how they decided what to give the family. I look at my own time preparing for Christmas giving. I make a list of the loved ones in my life and try to think of a few questions to figure out what gift to give them. What would they want? What will bring them joy? How can I express my gratitude for that person? Perhaps the kings asked themselves similar questions in search of gifts for our savior.
It is wonderful to ask these questions when giving gifts to others, but how often do we ask these questions about God? What does the Lord want? What will bring the joy to the Lord? How can I express gratitude for the Lord? These are excellent questions to reflect on as we journey into a new year and toward the Epiphany.
For some, the answer to one or more of these questions may lie in monetary gifts to the church or a ministry close to their hearts. Others may give enthusiastic words of faith, diligent and deep prayer, or talents and abilities to help build and strengthen our church. However you give, do it with love.
Christmas is a celebration not of the gifts we give, but the gift God gives us with the most precious gift of our savior. This year, I hope you challenge yourself to give with love and ask what pleases the Lord.
To learn more about ways to support our local Catholic community, call or email Nick Carney. Give to one of our existing endowments here.
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
Happy New Year!
Photo Attribution: Christmas Vectors by Vecteezy