The Best Gift of All

by | Dec 20, 2024 | Dorcas Leong, • Timely Word •

The Best Gift of All

Upon reading and reflecting on the narrative of the wise men visiting Jesus from Matthew 2:1-12, I only just realized that this visit happened some time after Jesus’ birth. So, it is highly likely that Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus were no longer in the stable where Jesus was born, unlike what is depicted in our nativity scenes. ​

These wise men from the east, a special class of priests from the Persian Empire, were just doing their job of looking at the stars. I can imagine they might be similar to present-day astronomers who look forward to catching that once-in-a-lifetime Halley’s Comet – but of course we now know that this special star which they saw would appear only once in anybody’s lifetime! ​

No doubt their travels from afar, along with their three precious gifts, would not have been an easy journey. The most logical place to go to first when looking for the king of the Jews would have been the palace. But as was emphasised in last week’s sermon, our Most High God chose to be born as a man in the most humble and lowly of circumstances rather than as an earthly king. After the pit-stop at Herod’s, how amazing it would have been to be led by the special star, directly to where Jesus was! ​

The significance of the gifts is also worth pondering upon. Gold was meant for a king, and frankincense was meant to worship deity. But why would they have brought myrrh with them, which is an embalming oil which can be interpreted as a symbol of death?! As Hope Bolinger, a writer for www.christianity.com put it, “embalming liquid never appears to top the lists of baby shower gifts in society today.”​

As we have been reflecting on the responses of various eye-witnesses who were there at Jesus’ birth more than 2000 years ago, we must certainly return to the question of our own response. How have we been changed by the birth of this baby? What is our response to the Gospel message? Like the wise men who “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” when they finally saw the newborn king, and lay the precious gifts at his feet as they worshipped Him, there are two practical applications we could draw from this passage.​

First, we can examine how we approach this season in terms of both giving and receiving gifts. For example, do we buy gifts for family, friends, and colleagues for the sake of it, because it is expected, or the office’s culture? Could we be unintentionally contributing to the consumerism culture by gifting items that people don’t really need? And in terms of receiving gifts, this year especially, I am finding it challenging to teach my 4-year-old son the importance of having a grateful heart, even as he has been so blessed with early Christmas gifts, and unfortunately, has very little patience to wait until Christmas Day to open them!​

Second, and perhaps more importantly, we can reflect on our attitude of giving to God and towards His people and missions work. If we truly believe that everything we own belongs to the Lord, and we are only stewards of our material possessions, can we hold more loosely to our money, our time or even our talents? ​

Ultimately, we know that the best gift of all is Jesus Christ, and the Good News that He brings to us, which is what we celebrate during Christmas time. May this truth be apparent in our lifestyles and in everything we say and do especially during this season. ​

By sister Dorcas Leong​

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Happy Mother’s Day

by | May 6, 2022 | Dorcas Leong, • Timely Word •

Mother’s Day can be difficult for some. For those who long to be a mother, for those who have lost their own mother or have a challenging relationship with them,   this day must bring mixed feelings whilst others are celebrating and being celebrated. I am so thankful for the church family who rallies around to be that mother or father figure in our lives, or when aunties and uncles step in to help care for and teach the children in our midst. For us who are believers, one message that keeps coming through God’s Word can be found in Psalm 23:1 – “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” In other words, we lack nothing! May this truth be one we can all internalise and truly hold on to.

I believe my own parenting journey has been similar to most. We’ve had the joy of seeing our little one take his first steps, add more words to his vocabulary, and develop a bond with us; we have the pain of seeing him ill or hurting himself. What perhaps is not so similar to other new parents is that I, in my profession as a developmental psychologist, know all the theory behind child development and parenting strategies. Yet as many of my colleagues have shared before, it is totally different when we have our own child! In recent months, it certainly has not been easy dealing with the toddler stage when he cannot fully express what he wants, seems virtually incapable of waiting, and has big emotions that he cannot control. For me, being a parent has tested my patience like nothing before, and I find myself raising my voice, or responding to him in a way that I do not like myself doing.

Initially, the priority was mainly to take care of his physical needs, and to look after his safety and health. As he grows, we turn our attention to his cognitive and social development, and hope that he will develop to his full potential. As Christian parents, how do we cultivate our child’s spiritual development? Being brought up in a Christian household brings many blessings, as children have the opportunity to know the Lord from a young age. However, in order for a child to turn from simply knowing about God to actually knowing God in a personal and intimate way, this is really in the Lord’s hands and in His perfect timing.

Ultimately, in our daily interaction, we as parents want to show our child the love of Christ, yet also not withhold discipline if that will teach him to know the difference between right and wrong. I have no doubt that the next few months and years will have its own set of challenges and issues to deal with. It is in the daily moments of responding to different circumstances that we need God’s grace. The song by Steven Curtis Chapman sums up these sentiments:

“We can only know the power that He holds

when we truly see how deep our weakness goes.

His strength in us begins where ours comes to an end;

He hears our humble cry and proves again:

His strength is perfect when our strength is gone.

He’ll carry us when we can’t carry on.

Raised in His power, the weak become strong.

His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect.”

Happy Mother’s Day to all who play a mothering role in any way! May we continue to encourage one another in our daily walk as we share our stories, practical tips, and acts of service, as so many have already been doing.

By sister Dorcas Leong