Unexpected Gifts

Then, opening their treasure chests, the Wise Men offered Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh (Matt. 2:11).

            When I was growing up, I got three kinds of Christmas presents: things I needed; things I wanted; and those which were unexpected. The first group included items like a new winter coat, boots or a toque which made it look like I was getting a lot of gifts. In the second category were things like toys, hockey equipment or a microscope about which I had dropped many hints to my parents in the weeks leading up to Christmas. However, almost every year I received at least one present, like a Bible, which fit into the third group. Some of the most meaningful gifts I received at Christmas were of this type.

            In this passage from Matthew, some Wise Men from the East come to Jesus in Bethlehem and present him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. By doing so, their unexpected arrival and action bring a deeper meaning to the Christmas Story.

            Each of the gifts brought by the Wise Men acknowledged a part of Christ’s identity. Gold recognized his role as a king. Frankincense identified his role as a Priest. Myrrh distinguished his role as one whose Death was a Sacrificial Offering. Yet, these individuals likely had little insight into the meaning of the Birth of Jesus. They journeyed to Jerusalem because of their Astrological Interpretation of the appearance of a new star. While they asked about the birth of an Infant King of the Jews, they probably knew nothing about the Prophecies about a future Messiah or Christ’s Royal ancestors recorded in the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament. It was unlikely that the Wise Men knew the Kingdom Jesus ruled was a Spiritual rather than Temporal one. His role as Priest meant he was intercessor between God and Humanity for the Redemption of Sin for all time and not just a short period. In addition, Christ was also the Sacrificial Offering whose Death released everyone from the bonds of Sin. The Wise Men’s gifts not only identified parts of the identity of Jesus but also stressed the element of the unexpected in the Christmas Story. Even their arrival in Bethlehem was an unexpected gift because there was no indication in the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament of such an event. In a way, this detail of the Christmas Story suggested how Christ’s Ministry introduced new and unexpected developments into the evolution of God’s Plan.

            This Christmas I have also received an unexpected gift: time. I was recently told someone who received Communion from me at a Christmas Mass has tested positive for Covid 19. While I was wearing a mask when I gave this person Communion, the amount of time it took to do so was minimal and I have developed no symptoms, I have been advised to self-isolate until I can take a Covid 19 Test and get the results back. This means I have a lot of time on my hands. Until very recently, I grumbled about having so much to do and so little time to think. Now that is no longer a problem.

            Of course the challenge is that my Parish doesn’t cease operations because I need to self-isolate. Funerals still need to be arranged, bills paid and mail answered. Dirty laundry still piles up, groceries need to be bought and meals prepared. Fortunately, my staff and the others in the Rectory have these things well in hand. Most of the things which occupy my time are no longer doing so.

            The challenge is now how do I utilize this gift of time which I have received? After three days, I am still trying to answer that question. I have resumed some projects I had been working on before my situation changed such as going through my Computer Files to delete stuff I don’t need and better organize what I keep. I have kept up my reading and Prayers (but not increased the time devoted to them). Sadly, I have spent a lot of time staring at the walls trying to decide what I should do next. Since it is likely I won’t get my Covid 19 Results back for a week I need to come up with a plan.

            This Covid 19 Pandemic has had a disruptive effect on a lot of lives including my own. I know my challenge of trying to figure out what to do with all this extra time is nothing compared to those who have lost a loved one to the virus; work in a Hospital and worry about contracting it; or have lost their job working in a Restaurant or Small Business. Unexpected gifts, when they come at Christmas or another time of the year, can be disruptive. They may not be what we need or want but they can lead us to see things in a new way. While I would never call this Pandemic a gift (unexpected or otherwise) it may cause me to recognize time as something which is limited and precious. Maybe I need to look more carefully at how I have used it in the past and will use it after this Pandemic. Perhaps I should stop assuming I have a lot of time left to do the important things in life because Covid 19 might change everything.

            The Account of the Wise Men visiting Jesus recalls that unexpected events and things are part of life. The Wise Men may not have totally understood the meaning of Christ’s Birth but by their arrival and gifts showed their desire to participate in the Story. In a way, the gift they gave was themselves. Perhaps during this crisis, we may get the opportunity to be an unexpected gift to someone who is struggling to cope with Covid 19 by just being present to them. It could turn out to be the best present we could give them.

January 3, 2021