by Ken Bradford

Created on: October 31, 2008

There are many excellent Bible verse related Christmas gift ideas and personally I have never thought of doing my Christmas shopping within the pages of the Bible, but now that it has been brought to my attention, it's a fantastic idea.

We could run down to Wal-Mart and pick up a jar of frankincense or myrrh. The three kings, commonly referred to as wise men, presented these gifts to Jesus.

"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh." - Matthew 2:11

So, just what is frankincense and myrrh?, you ask. We will have a brief lesson, just so you will know what to look for. Frankincense and myrrh are no more than resins from trees native to Somalia. This dried tree sap is mixed with such things as spices and other different aromas and is burned as incense. You may have some already and just didn't know it. It may just be one of those gifts you stood in line to exchange last year.

"And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: - Exodus 30:34

If you aren't personally into myrrh, then you might want to consider a jar of honey, or a large bucket of nuts or a basket of fruit.

"And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:" - Genesis 43:11

If the gift is for someone really special, you might consider a candlestick made of pure gold.

"And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same." - Exodus 25:31

If you are shopping on a limited budget, of course you could choose one of the less expensive lines of candlesticks, maybe brass.

A nice bottle of olive oil, festively decorated with a red or green bow could just be that special gift. Olive oil is the predominant oil mentioned in the Bible and it was used for basically everything from religions rituals, to anoint the sick, to perfume. If they didn't like the smell, they just added some fragrance. If the person who receives the bottle of olive oil doesn't need it for cooking purposes, they can either put it in the medicine cabinet or use it as a perfume.

"And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him." - Luke 10:34

"And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them." - Mark 6:13

If you have a lot of people to buy gifts for or have little money to purchase gifts, try giving a gift that is absolutely free. How about giving away a spiritual gift?

"As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." - I Peter 4:10

Just as Jesus taught us that he came to serve and not to be served, we are fulfilling his work by giving of ourselves with our spiritual gifts.

"And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." - Mark 12:31

As we pause to celebrate this Christmas season, for whatever reason, we must all realize that the greatest gift we could ever give is our love. Jesus taught us about love, but even if you choose not to believe in Jesus, there surely must be those you love, so tell them.

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