As I get older gifts on birthdays or at Christmas just don’t seem that important to me. I love giving gifts, especially to my wife and children. I like to find that gift that brings a tear to the eye or elicit a great surprise. But for myself, what I receive does not seem like a big deal. It did not so long ago. As a young adult, I loved to receive cool gadgets and tech toys. However, I can say I feel pretty satisfied now that I am more mature.
In fact, on Father’s Day my oldest son was coming home from college and he asked what I wanted as a gift. He asked looking for a concrete gift suggestion, preferably in his college student bank account range. I immediately had an answer for him. I told him, “As long as you get home in time to go to Mass with me and the family, that is all I want.” I just wanted to witness his faith being fed along with the rest of us. For me, there could be no greater gift.
We hear every year the story of the Magi bringing rich gifts to honor Jesus. They were honoring this newborn king the only way they really knew. And yes, I believe that whatever they could have offered him would have been appreciated. But I think it was the gift of themselves that mattered the most. They didn’t send the gifts to him by some form of courier. They traveled a far distance to be there in person. For what else could Jesus really have asked.
What gifts do you have to offer Jesus? You could offer gifts of treasure or time. He would love those. But could you offer him your presence in prayer. Just spend time giving yourself over to Him, for what else could He really ask?
Tracy Earl Welliver 
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