We are preparing our hearts to celebrate the birth of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

in a message series called The Gift as we look at three different gifts that the Magi or the

wise men brought to worship Jesus. Now, as we think about this and visualize what it would have been

like at that time when the Magi brought in their gifts, I'm guessing that many of you think about

a manger scene like one at grandma's house, would I be right? Any of you kind of visualize this.

If you do what you're probably seeing is something like what I see in my mind. You're probably seeing

three wise men with flowing robes made up porcelain because that perhaps is what the

manger scene is made of. You probably see some farm animals, maybe a sheep, maybe a cow.

Chances are you might see some shepherds. If the roof is pitched, you might see an angel at the top

of the roof. And of course, baby Jesus is glowing because there's a nightlight under the cradle.

And if you know what I'm talking about, the challenge is that very likely there were not three wise

men at this moment. There could have been many more. We don't know how many wise men were there.

And also they would have been in a house. And this time by the time the wise men traveled the

distance to get there, Jesus was very likely not an infant. Most scholars believe that he was over

a year old, maybe 18 months old or so. Perhaps he would older, that changes my visual of why

has been bowing down to a toddler. How many of you have right now, all of our churches? How many of you

have a two-year-old? You have a two-year-old? How many of you have ever had one? You've ever had one?

I mean, you've been a round one. I used to judge parents of two-year-olds before I had children.

You know what I'm talking about? Your kid would be in a rest. I'm banging on the table throwing a

fitness, I would judge you before I had a two-year-old. And I learned that you do not negotiate with

terrorists, right? You have a two-year-old, you're out of control. I give you anything, kid. You

become the worst parent and you're happy. Here's my iPhone. Take it. Play Baby Shark for the 90

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