Jesus, the Greatest Gift 耶稣，最棒的礼物

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Dexu Xia

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Dec 25, 2025, 7:25:54 PM12/25/25

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They opened their treasures and presented [Jesus] with gifts. Matthew 2:11

Today's Scripture. Matthew 2:1-12

Today's Insights Matthew’s gospel is bookended by the worship of Jesus (2:1; 28:17). In both accounts, readers see what the proper response to Christ should be. Based on what had been revealed to them, “Magi from the east came to Jerusalem” (2:1), bearing gifts to honor Jesus. They asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (v. 2). “Worship[ed]” (vv. 2, 8, 11) translates the word proskyneō—meaning “to fawn,” “to “crouch down” (literally or figuratively), “to prostrate oneself in homage” (reverence, adore). Matthew’s account of Christ shows that worship is the proper response to Him (see 8:2-3; 9:18-22; 14:33; 15:25-28; 28:9). The final use of the word worship[ed] in this gospel occurs in the last scene of the book, after the resurrection: “When they saw him, they worshiped him” (28:17). Today, as we celebrate Jesus—the greatest gift ever given—may we also respond with worship.

Today's Devotional “What sweeter music can we bring/ Than a carol for to sing/ The birth of this our heavenly King?” The lines of this seventeenth-century poem “What Sweeter Music” by Robert Herrick were reimagined by modern-day choral composer John Rutter to become an Advent season favorite. Its gentle melody describes a long, cold season of waiting that’s thawed by the springtime feeling of Jesus’ arrival. The singers bring Him a Christmas carol; the listeners are invited to bring their hearts.

Rutter’s arrangement was commissioned to correspond with a church reading on the wise men who brought Jesus gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These mysterious magi traveled a great distance to meet baby Jesus with the express purpose of worshiping Him (Matthew 2:1-2). When they finally found Him, they “were overjoyed,” bowed down in reverence, and “opened their treasures” at His feet (vv. 10-11). Warned in a dream, they left without informing wicked King Herod (v. 12).

The Christmas season shouldn’t focus on material gifts—but it’s certainly about giving and receiving gifts. God gave His Son to heal a broken world. If we’ve never given Him our hearts, today’s a wonderful day to do so. If He already reigns there, let’s offer a carol of peace and joy as we think about His arrival all those years ago in Bethlehem—and wait for His return.

Reflect & Pray

What are some of the greatest gifts of Christmastime? What might you be reluctant to give over to God?

Dear Jesus, You’re the greatest gift of all. Everything I am, and everything I have, I give back to You.

By Karen Pimpo

他们打开宝盒，献上礼物给[耶稣]。马太福音 2:11

今日经文：马太福音 2章1-12 节

今日洞见：马太福音以对耶稣的敬拜贯穿始终。在第二章一节和第二十八章十七节这两段经文中，读者可以认识到对基督应有的正确回应。根据他们所得到的启示，“有几个博士从东方来到耶路撒冷”（2:1），带着礼物来尊崇耶稣。他们问：“那生下来作犹太人之王的在哪里？我们在东方看见他的星，特来拜他”（第2节）。“敬拜”（第2、8、11节）一词的原文是proskyneō，意指“谄媚”、“俯伏”（字面或比喻意义），“俯身敬拜”（敬畏、崇拜）。马太福音对基督的记述表明，敬拜是对祂的正确回应（参见8:2-3；9:18-22；14:33；15:25-28；28:9）。这卷福音书中“敬拜”一词的最后一次出现，是在本书的最后一幕，耶稣复活之后，“他们见了祂，就拜祂”（28:17）。今天，当我们庆祝耶稣，有史以来最棒的礼物时，愿我们也以敬拜来回应祂。

今日灵修：“我们还能献上什么更甜美的乐曲/胜过为我们这位天上的君王献上的/歌颂祂的诞生？”罗伯特·赫里克创作于17世纪的诗歌《何等甜美的乐章》的诗句，经现代合唱作曲家约翰·鲁特重新谱曲，成为一首深受人们喜爱的降临节歌曲。其柔美的旋律描绘了一个漫长寒冷的等待季节，最终被耶稣降临带来的春天般的温暖所融化。歌手们为他献上圣诞颂歌；听众们也被邀请献上自己的心。鲁特的这首乐曲是受委托创作的，旨在与教会诵读的关于东方三博士向耶稣献上黄金、乳香和没药的经文相呼应。这些神秘的贤士长途跋涉，来到伯利恒，只为朝拜婴孩耶稣（马太福音 2:1-2）。当他们最终找到他时，“就大大地欢喜”，俯伏敬拜，并在他脚前“打开宝盒”（10-11节）。他们在梦中得到警告，便没有向奸恶的希律王汇报就离开了（12节）。

圣诞节不应该只关注物质礼物，但它确实关乎给予和接受礼物。上帝赐下他的儿子，来医治这个破碎的世界。如果我们从未将自己的心献给祂，那么今天就是一个绝佳的机会。如果祂已经掌管我们的心，那么让我们献上平安喜乐的颂歌，思想祂多年前在伯利恒的降生，并等待祂的再临。

反思与祷告圣诞节最美好的礼物有哪些？有哪些东西可能是你不愿意交给上帝的？

亲爱的耶稣，您是最棒的礼物。我把我的一切，我所有的一切，都献给您。