My Wrinkled To-Do List

"They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh." // Matthew 2:10-11

It's the New Year, and I'm going to do it all the right ways this year. I'm resolved. It's day two, and I've already cut back on sugar and amped up my prayers. My aspirational list is long: do morning dishes right away after breakfast, brush my hair after every shower to avoid the inadvertent snarls, shut my phone down before I just doomscroll from 10:30pm on, and so much more.

My husband and I make lists for the new year every New Year's Eve. It's a now almost dozen-year tradition. But they're always things to do, even spiritual things. Something about today's reading hit me differently this year. Is this gift I bring to the Baby Jesus this Christmastide my to-do list? It's what I have tucked in my pocket to give Him.

When the Magi opened up their treasure boxes, they presented Him their gifts. They had hoofed it all over the sand dunes of the Middle East to give these gifts fit for the King of Kings. Kinda? The Lord God of the Universe doesn't actually need gold, frankincense, or myrrh. Pretty sure He's all set.

The hidden gift was that they followed the star (God's will), persevered in hardship (Holy Spirit's help), and presented themselves in worship (what we're designed to do). This Feast of the Epiphany, I'm not bringing that crumpled paper with my to-dos. I'm laying prostrate with my whole self and presenting myself as a gift to Jesus.

Wherever I find myself, Lord Jesus, I am Yours. Whatever challenges and discouragement I face, Lord Jesus, I am Yours. Please accept the gift of my whole self. I love You.

Jesus, I am Yours. // Nell O'LearyClick to tweet

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