Luke 2:22-24 - A Christmas Sacrifice of Dedication

This year, what Christmas gifts will involve some genuine sacrifice?

Though this happened a few days after Jesus was born, one of my favorite stories from the Bible is the dedication of Jesus in the temple.

Centuries before Jesus' birth, God spared the firstborn of every Jewish household on Passover night, when the Egyptians lost all of their firstborn. Consequently, God said that the first boy born into each Jewish household was to be dedicated to the Lord. The dedication was sealed with an animal sacrifice. Buying an animal for sacrifice would be a burden for poorer families, in which case they could make an offering of two turtledoves. (Ever wonder why the song goes, "On the second day of Christmas... two turtledoves? I suspect that's what inspired that line.)

Anyway, guess what Joseph and Mary brought to the temple, along with their infant Son? Two turtledoves. They were too poor to afford anything else.

You may feel like you don't have much to offer God, or offer others. The point is that God isn't trying to make us destitute, but He does want our gifts to reflect genuine sacrifice. It should cost us something, yet --after all-- we only give back to Him what we received from Him in the first place. (1 Corinthians 4:7).

Lord, Some of us have received way more than what we need. Some of us are just scraping by. Either way, we thank you for what we have, and sacrifice what gifts You ask of us, as a token of giving all that we are and have into Your care and keeping. In the name of Your Son Jesus, Amen.