Blame it on the wise men. They started it all! This idea of giving and receiving gifts, it came from them! As I read the Christmas story again this week in preparation for the up-coming sermons, I was impressed by their story. It isn’t that impressive that they gave gifts to the baby Jesus, but that they did so in-person. I mean the land from which they come from is thought to be the modern day country of Iraq, and by all appearances they seem to have been very wealthy men. Yet they did not hire the local “Fed-Ex” man with the little brown camel, who guaranteed next day service. No, instead they came personally; travelling hundreds of miles following a star they had seen in the western sky. I am impressed by their journey. I can only imagine what it took to journey all those uncomfortable miles to a far-away land, in order that they might greet with faith a new born King. Yes, that they came personally under these circumstances impresses me most. And the gifts? More than just gold, frankincense and myrrh. It was a gift with worship and adoration and glory, and honor and praise to Jesus.