I have gotten some thoughtful gifts in my lifetime — cookie tin robots, cereal box time machines, aprons made from dainty recycled cloth scraps, shawls knit with prayer.

Thoughtful gifts are the ones I remember. Perhaps because that extra expense of time or money seems to carry with it a little extra love.

The wise men had thoughtful gifts too.

What is so remarkable about their giving, though, is that they had no relation to Jesus. They weren’t family or friends. They weren’t even Jewish. But they were so eager for His coming, so eager to be a part of the adventure, to see this important baby king whose birth announcement was written in the Heavens and proclaimed centuries before.

They set aside large amounts of money and time for Him. They planned presents: gold to cushion His upbringing, frankincense to offer Him healing, and myrrh for a royal burial. Then, wrapped and ready, they set out on a journey of many months to hand deliver their goods.

Has any gift had more time and thought put into it? Perhaps just one. The gift of Jesus Himself.