One of the hallmarks of Christmas is the exchanging of presents, especially if you are a child. In 2018, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF), the average household in America spent $1,536 for Christmas. This year, according to the NRF, the average American household plans to spend $998 on gifts, food, and decorations. In 2020 the NRF reported that holiday sales were between $843.4 and $859 billion. My point is this: we Americans take exchanging gifts seriously. Nothing wrong with that. It is good to give gifts. My question is this: why do we exchange gifts? The answer is really steeped in tradition. It is a tradition that begins with the gifts that were given to Jesus by the wise men who had gone into Bethlehem being led by a star. Let me explain.
Two years after Jesus was born in Bethlehem wise men or magi arrived in Jerusalem having followed a star. This is the star, according to Numbers 24:17, which would point the way to the Messiah. We can assume this was no ordinary star. The wise men knew this because they were great learned men, and were likely familiar with the prophecy in Numbers 24:17 from the Jews in the region they had come.
When they arrived in Jerusalem, there was a great disturbance. Even King Herod was troubled. Most scholars believe Jerusalem was troubled by their arrival because it is likely hundreds of magi and their attendants went into Jerusalem. After having told King Herod and others the reason for their visit saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him”, they went on to the town of Bethlehem where Jesus remained after his birth with the star pointing the way. When they arrived in Bethlehem they bowed, worshiped, and gave three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Therefore, the reason we exchange presents at Christmas is to honor the gifts that were first given to Jesus by the wise men.
These are more than just gifts. Many scholars believe these gifts were used to support the family when the family had to flee from Bethlehem into Egypt, because King Herod had sent troops to Bethlehem to slaughter children two years and younger, in order to get rid of Jesus. The reason King Herod did this is because Jesus, who was called the king of the Jews, perceived Jesus as a threat to his throne. King Herod was not so much troubled by the great number of magi in Jerusalem as he was disturbed by the reason they were there – to find the King of kings and worship him.
However, these gifts were more than just financial support for the family. They had meaning. They had representation. Scholars believe the gold represented Jesus’ royalty. Meaning that Jesus is the King of kings. Frankincense represents Jesus’ deity. Recognizing that Jesus is divine, that Jesus is the Son of God, and that he is God. It also represents the fact that Jesus is worthy of our worship and praise, being that he is the only Son of God. Lastly, we have myrrh. Myrrh is a spice that ancient people would use on dead bodies to give a pleasing aroma. Thus, myrrh represents Jesus’ death. The death he would die to save sinners.
In summary, this is why we exchange gifts. I am sure this is not everyone’s reason for doing so, for many in America do not celebrate Christmas because of the birth of the Messiah. For some, it’s just another federal holiday; and a great one at that! But for the Christian, this is why we exchange presents: we exchange presents at Christmas to honor the gifts that were first given to Jesus by the wise men who had gone into Bethlehem being led by a star. Therefore, when you exchange and open gifts think of the wise men, and think of Jesus.