What Gifts do You Bring?

Author

 Elder Jim Fairchild

​In the Christian tradition, Epiphany celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ. It is the twelfth day after Christmas. While all Christian traditions do not celebrate Epiphany, it marks the end of the Advent Season and provides an opportunity for Christian disciples to reflect upon their moving forward in their own discipleship journey.

​Scripture recognizes the journey of the Three Kings, Wisemen or Magi who followed a star to honor the newborn king with their treasure. As you pause to reflect on the journey of the Three Wisemen described in Matthew 2:1-12 NRSV; ask “What Gifts do You Bring?” as, it may apply to your own discipleship journey. 
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Advent

Visit the Advent page on this website for additional information about Epiphany.

​“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”
​Luke 6:38 NRS

Sometimes our reluctance to look beyond the popular, the glamorous or what is trending in social media, prevents us from doing good works with the gifts and talents that God has given us.  We tell ourselves that what we have to offer is too small or insignificant.  Why make the effort?

​In the parable of the talents, Matthew 25:14-30 NRSV, Jesus made it clear that the servants are made stewards over their master’s possessions, not owners. One servant was "given" five talents", another was given two, and the third was given one talent. This parable makes an interesting point; each of these amounts was given according to the abilities of the servant!  The abilities of the person and not the worth of the person.  So to whom much is given, much is expected.  Thus we are expected to give from our true capacity by sharing our time, talents, testimony and treasure to further the Mission of Jesus Christ.

“God calls whomever God calls from among committed disciples, according to their gifts, to serve and reach all humankind.”
D&C 165:4a

​We might take our cue from the wise men who were willing to leave their comfort zones in search of the king. It is amazing that the only ones who really got it right, who experienced a new vision of God, were foreigners. These wise men, as defined by Matthew, were not from the Roman or the Jewish worlds; they were from a place outside the known empire.

“Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
​  2 Corinthians 9:7 NRSV

​Sometimes we overlook our importance to the Mission of Christ because we tend to believe that true missionary work is the responsibility of ministers and missionaries; and we have but a small and insignificant supporting role.  As Disciples, we are called by scripture to go places where we have never been, to do new things that we have never attempted and to be things we have never envisioned. 

 Christian discipleship requires whole-life stewardship modeled after the life, teaching, and ministry of Jesus Christ.  We cannot remain ‘Static” and must become “Active” in our faith. The scriptures tell us that “Faith without works is dead” James 2:17. ​

“You who are my disciples must be found continuing in the forefront of those organizations and movements which are recognizing the worth of persons and are committed to bringing the ministry of my Son to bear on their lives.”   
D&C 151:9-10

So “What Gifts do You Bring?
We invite you to share your comments below.