7-January-24 (Matthew 2:1-12)

The gifts that the wisemen brought may seem exotic to us, gold, incense, oil, but they were actually quite practical for a family on the move in those days. All of them could be exchanged for money in any marketplace they visited, and the money could go for food, shelter, and other necessities.
Throughout its history to today, the work of God has needed practical support for that work to proceed. Sometimes that support comes in the form of financial resources, sometimes in the form of spending our time and effort on projects, sometimes in the form of using our abilities, talents, and experience to get that work done.
Let's consider the kinds of practical things we can do so the work of the Church can continue as we take up today's offering.

Prayer:

Please join me now in prayer.
God, who gave us your greatest gift in Jesus, who taught us how much you love us, help us to give of ourselves, our abilities, and our resources, just as the wisemen did, so that your work will continue here and around the world.
Bless these gifts we have returned to you and use them in that work.
We pray in the name of Jesus, our Christ, AMEN