Jesus on the cross
near the end of life.
water is offered
it would only satisfy temporarily.
vinegar was given
a sour taste in his mouth,
increasing his suffering in his last hours.
the sour effects of some gifts,
even if given with a good pure heart,
sour is sour.
at his birth the gifts were gold, frankinsence and myrrh.
those gifts, although not “baby safe”,
gave and enhanced his real life.
the gifts of the Maggi
given by strangers,
yet these wise men understood what was needed for life.
gold, frankincense and myrrh they were expensive, valuable, extravagant
but, the givers knew they would give life.
Gold, because of it’s value, could be sold.
Frankincense and Myrrh
astringents, and more,
would be used each day, to improve life.
do we give gifts that are life-giving?
or ones that leave a sour taste in our mouths?
As we continue to walk through this advent season,
may we, in anticipation of the greatest gift of love,
consider giving gifts that are life-giving.
not sour, but ever lastly sweet.
itsawonderfilledlife 