The Offering of Gifts

The Baptism of Christ, Epiphany 13th Jan 2013

The wise men offered gifts of great value to the Christ child and they travelled from afar to make that offering. On the second Sunday of Epiphany, we celebrate Jesus' Baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is given to all believers at baptism.

Through the gifts of the Spirit we are enabled to live as Christian and therefore the gifts of the Holy Spirit are really important for our common lives as Christians. They are given by grace and not for our own credit, but to the glory of Christ and for the building up of the whole Christian community. Unlike talents that are so celebrated today to the glory of celebrity, and the individual - gifts are given so that all may take their part in the kingdom of God. It is our duty then as Christians to stir up the gifts within us that we have been given and in turn offer them for the health of the whole community of Christ of which we are a part. As Christians each one of us should expect to be growing in Christ; in knowledge, in wisdom, in faith and in our individual and corporate discipleship.

- St Paul speaks of certain gifts of the Holy Spirit, among them: wisdom, knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, prophecy and speaking in tongues – these are distinct from the roles that people are called to in the church – as teachers, apostles, administrators, leaders etc. There is no need to see this list as exhaustive, but it gives us some parameters for understanding.

Are you able to discern gifts in your life from the Holy Spirit
Spend time in prayer, opening your heart to the Holy Spirit and God's gifts
Expect God to give you good things
Be thankful and in everything you do give glory to God

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