on this feast of the epiphany of the lord, we reflect on gifts.
during the christmas season, we must have made up a "wish list" of sorts - a list of gifts that we want to receive for christmas. some of us got what we want, others will have to wait for their wishes to be fulfilled.
but more than receiving material gifts, the birth of our lord jesus christ is the most precious gift we must receive in this season of christmas. out of the father's generous and overflowing love to us, he sent his son as a gift to us. and the son, out of his abounding generosity to the father's will, offered his life as a gift back to the father through his sacrifice on the cross for our salvation.
the word "epiphany" means "manifestation" or "appearance." today, we remember that jesus, the babe on the manger, manifested himself to the three wisemen (not really "kings") - melchor, gaspar, and balthazar - who represented all of humanity. the three wisemen gave him three gifts that symbolized aspects of jesus' life and mission: gold for his kingship, frankincese for his divinity, and myrrh for his salvific sacrifice on the cross.
perhaps, more than asking what gift we can receive or still receive for this chrismas season, we remember that we have received the gift of jesus christ in our lives - and that gift is more than enough. on our part, we ask ourselves: like the three wise men, what gift can we give to him?
when i was in my first year in san carlos seminary, one of the christmas carols we used to sing is the song entitled "what can i give to the king?" the lyrics of the song will hopefully lead us to reflect and offer the gift that we can best give to christ not just on christmas but on this year and even our lifetime: our words and actions, our days and tomorrows, our strengths and weaknesses, our lights and shadows... our lives, whole and entire, offered to god.
may our lives truly be an "epiphany" of god's love, that through us, others may see, experience, and remember the emmanuel: god is with us!
What can I give to the King?
Give to the One who has everything?
What can I give?
What gift can I bring?
What can I give to the King?
What can I give to the King?
Give Him a heart that’s opened up wide
Give Him a life that’s got nothing to hide
Give Him a love that’s tender and true
And He’ll give it all back to you
Yes, He’ll give it all back to you
What can we give to the King?
Give to the One who has everything?
What can we give?
What gift can we bring?
What can we give to the King?
What can we give to the King?
Give Him all glory, His people on earth
Give Him all praises, this day of His birth
Give Him all honor in all that we do
As He’s given His life to you
As He’s given His life to you
What can we give to the King?
Give to the One who has everything?
What can we give to the King?
What can we give to the King?
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