Linda Buishas
I have many happy memories of spending Christmas Eve with my husband’s family. A favorite among them is my brother-in-law Joe reading from The Secret of the Gifts, by Paul Flucke. It’s an imaginary tale of the Angel Gabriel and three wisemen: Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. Gabriel warns them that their gifts must be the essences of themselves, a reflection of the things that are precious to their souls. Although this is my shortened version of the tale, I hope you’ll enjoy the message just the same.
Gaspar, a wealthy man, brought gold to lay before the Child, only to discover the gold had turned into a hammer. Gabriel explained it was the hammer of his greed. He had used it to pound wealth from those who labored so that he could live in luxury. He had raised it against others to destroy them. Gaspar, bowing from shame, turned to leave with the hammer in hand, fearing it too heavy to leave with the Child. He might harm Himself. “You have carried it for too many years. Leave your worries to heaven. The hammer shall find its place,” said Gabriel. Reluctantly, Gaspar placed the hammer at Jesus’ feet. As he emerged, a smile shone on his face, and his hands were raised to heaven. The burden of greed and shame was gone.
Melchior had brought a gift of frankincense. To his dismay, the precious oil had turned to vinegar. Gabriel explained, “You’ve brought what you are made of; the bitterness of your heart, soured by past hurts and jealousy.” Hearing the truth, he grabbed the jar and hurried toward the door. He feared that in leaving it, the Child might touch it to His lips. “You must leave that worry to heaven,” Gabriel said, “There is a use, even for vinegar.” Leaving his bitterness behind, his eyes shone with new hope, his heart cleansed with heaven’s truth.
Balthazar entered last, carrying his gift of myrrh, only to discover he held his spear instead. Gabriel told him that 1,000 enemies had turned his soul into a spear. Each battle won only led to another. He thought he could never give it up. But Gabriel asked, “Can you afford to keep it?” His voice trembled, “It’s not safe to leave here. It could pierce His flesh.” Gabriel whispered, “This is the only safe place for it. You must leave your worry to heaven.” He loosened his grip, and the spear dropped to Baby Jesus’ feet. As Balthazar walked away, he embraced Gaspar and Melchior as brothers, his heart overflowing with peace.
What of the worries they were told to leave to heaven? Jesus took them upon himself on Calgary.
As we celebrate this holy season, may we lay those things that are precious to our souls at our Savior’s feet, knowing, as these three wisemen learned, that the secret of the gifts lies not in what we wish to bring, but what we leave behind.
Merry Christmas!