by Marc Ulrich

The Christmas season often brings a whirlwind of activities, schedules, and expectations that can leave us feeling overwhelmed rather than joyful. Yet the story of the Magi offers us a powerful example of what it means to worship with intentionality, courage, and genuine joy—even when the journey is difficult.

What Made the Magi’s Gifts So Significant?

When the Magi arrived to worship Jesus, they brought three specific gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. While we often focus on the gold, the frankincense carries profound spiritual significance that we might overlook.

The Sacred Nature of Frankincense

Frankincense wasn’t just any ordinary gift. In the Old Testament, God gave Moses very specific instructions about creating a sacred incense blend for worship in the tabernacle. This formula included pure frankincense and was to be used exclusively for worshiping God. The penalty for using this sacred fragrance for personal pleasure was severe—being cut off from the people.

When the Magi brought pure frankincense to Jesus, they weren’t just offering an expensive gift. They acknowledged His divinity and presented Him with something that belonged exclusively to God.

How Does the Old Testament Connect to Jesus’s Birth?

The arrival of the Magi wasn’t a random event—it was the fulfillment of prophecies written hundreds of years earlier. Understanding these connections helps us see God’s faithfulness throughout history.

The Queen of Sheba’s Visit to Solomon

About a thousand years before Jesus’s birth, the Queen of Sheba traveled great distances to visit King Solomon, bringing gold, spices, and incense. This earlier event foreshadowed the Magi’s journey to worship another King in David’s lineage—Jesus.

Isaiah’s Prophecy About the Nations

The prophet Isaiah wrote about a time when nations would come to worship, bringing gold and incense on camels from distant lands. This prophecy, written 700 years before Christ’s birth, describes exactly what happened when the Magi arrived.

What Can We Learn About Courage from the Magi?

The Magi’s journey required tremendous courage. They traveled 900 to 1,500 miles through dangerous territory to worship a foreign king. This wasn’t a casual decision—it required planning, resources, and boldness.

Worshiping in Enemy Territory

The Magi entered Roman-controlled territory and openly asked about a newborn king. This was a politically dangerous move that could have been seen as treason. Yet they pressed forward because they believed this child was worth the risk.

How Should Christians Approach Worship Today?

The Magi’s example challenges us to examine our own worship. Are we settling for mediocre, comfortable Christianity, or are we willing to be bold and intentional in our faith?

What in Your Life Is Exclusively for God?

Just as frankincense was reserved exclusively for God’s worship, we need to ask ourselves: What in our lives is set apart solely for God? Do we allow worldly patterns and habits to creep into every area of our lives, or do we maintain sacred boundaries?

The Challenge of Intentional Living

It’s easy to let our schedules get pushed around by outside forces—work demands, social obligations, even well-meaning activities like youth sports. But wisdom requires us to prioritize what truly matters for eternity.

What Does It Mean to Choose Joy?

Biblical joy isn’t dependent on circumstances. Throughout Scripture, God’s people were called to choose joy even in difficult situations—during exile, persecution, and hardship.

Joy Based on God’s Character, Not Circumstances

The people of Israel sang for joy as they left slavery in Egypt, heading into an unknown future. They chose joy not because their circumstances were perfect, but because they trusted God’s character and faithfulness.

Acknowledging Feelings While Choosing Joy

Choosing joy doesn’t mean ignoring difficult emotions or pretending everything is fine. We can acknowledge our struggles while still deciding to trust God’s goodness and provision.

How Do We Walk Backwards into the Future?

When facing an uncertain future, Scripture teaches us not to face it head-on, but to look to God’s past faithfulness and walk backward into what’s ahead. This means remembering how God has provided, protected, and guided us through previous challenges.

Connecting the Dots Backwards

We can only connect the dots of God’s faithfulness by looking backwards. Current economic challenges, housing costs, and generational struggles aren’t new—God has guided His people through similar difficulties throughout history.

Life Application

This week, challenge yourself to identify one area of your life that you can set apart exclusively for God. This might be your time, your resources, your habits, or your responses to challenging situations. Like the Magi who brought frankincense reserved only for divine worship, choose something in your life that will be sacred—untouched by worldly patterns and dedicated solely to honoring God.

Consider these questions as you reflect on this challenge:

What bold step is God calling you to take this season that requires courage and intentionality?
Does your joy depend on circumstances being exactly as you want them, or is it rooted in who God is and how He has already shown up in your life?
How can you worship with the same intentionality and generosity that the Magi demonstrated, even when it requires sacrifice?
What legacy are you creating through your worship—will it be bold and memorable, or easily forgotten?

The Magi’s journey reminds us that true worship often requires stepping out of our comfort zones, traveling difficult paths, and offering our very best to God. As we navigate this Christmas season, let’s choose to worship with the same courage, intentionality, and joy that marked their historic journey to meet the newborn King.