	Bob Hostetler > Devotions

Are You a Wise Guy?

by Bob Hostetler

"Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh" (Matthew 2:11b, NLT).

You've probably heard the Christmas story many, many times, right? You've heard the story of the wise men, the angels, and the shepherds, over and over again. But how well do you really know it? Take the following quiz, and see if you're truly a "wise guy" (or girl) when it comes to the story of Jesus' birth (circle the best answer to each question):

1. The "wise men" who journeyed from afar to visit Jesus were:
(a) astrologers (b) kings (c) circus performers

2. How many "wise men" were there?
(a) three (b) we don't know (c) we know but we're not telling

3. The wise men came from:
(a) the east (b) the west (c) West Philadelphia

4. The wise men found Jesus in Bethlehem and visited him in:
(a) a stable (b) a manger (c) a house

5. The wise men's gifts included:
(a) gold (b) Frankenstein (c) fur

So, how do you think you did? You see, a lot of misunderstanding has arisen about the visit of the wise men to Jesus on that first Christmas day long ago. A lot of people think the wise men were kings (probably because of the Christmas carol, "We Three Kings"); but they were most likely court astrologers for some city or nation. Most people think there were three wise men (in fact, tradition even gives them names: Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthasar). But the Bible doesn't say how many wise men came to visit Jesus.

The third question was probably easy for you, right? The wise men came from the east--we don't know exactly from where in the east, but it might have been Persia (what's now called Iran and Iraq). And though your family's manger scene probably shows the wise men visiting Jesus at the stable where the Lord was born, they apparently didn't arrive until Jesus, Joseph, and Mary had moved into a house somewhere (see Matthew 2:11). And, of course, they brought gifts of gold, frankincense (not Frankenstein), and myrrh (not fur). So if your answers were a, b, a, c, and a, you really are a "wise guy" (or girl).

But the story of the wise men visiting Jesus is more than just fun and games. It can remind us that Christmas is more about giving than about getting. The wise men brought generous gifts to the Christ child that first Christmas, but they brought even more than expensive gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They brought themselves--and their worship--too. This Christmas Eve, you're probably thinking a lot about what you're getting for Christmas. But a more important question is: What are you giving?

Pray: "Lord, I know you value generosity, and I want to learn about giving this Christmas, instead of thinking only about getting. Please help me show generosity to others--and to you--this Christmas."

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