What Do You Give a King?

‘Tis the season for gift giving; for finding the perfect gift that will express to someone how you truly feel about them.  It’s not easy, is it?

This seasonal gift giving tradition began because approximately two thousand years ago an infant king was presented gifts of frankincense, gold, and myrrh by men who wanted to honor him.  But giving gifts to kings certainly predates that event.  When the Queen of Sheba came to visit Solomon she did not come empty handed.  Her gifts included large quantities of spices, precious stones and four tons of gold!

So what do you give to someone who already has everything?  What do you give a king?  What do you give to The King of Kings?

Here is a suggested list of gifts to choose from:

• A Loving Heart

I love Thee, because Thou has first loved me,

And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;

I love Thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow: 

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

 – W.R. Featherston

 

More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to thee! 

Hear thou the prayer I make, on bended knee;

This is my earnest plea, more love, O Christ, to thee,

More love to thee!  More love to thee.

 – Elizabeth Prentiss

 

• A Thankful Heart

Father, whatever of earthly bliss thy sovereign will denies,

Accepted at thy throne of grace, let this petition rise. 

Give me a calm, a thankful heart, from every murmur free;

The blessings of thy grace impart, and let me live to thee.

 – Anne Steele

 

• A Servant’s Heart

Give me the heart of a servant,

tender and faithful and true. 

Fill me with love, then use me, O Lord,

So that the world can see you.

 

Lord, make me a servant,

Lord, make me like you;

 For you are a servant,

Make me one, too.

 Lord, make me a servant,

Do what you must do

To make me a servant,

Make me like You.

 

• A Broken Heart

On bended knee I come,

With a broken heart I come;

Bowing down before your holy throne. 

As I look upon your face,

Show your mercy and your grace. 

Change my life, oh Holy Spirit

Make me fresh and ever new;

Make my life a holy sacrifice to you.

 – Robert Guy

 

• A Submissive Heart

Take my life, and let it be

Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;

Take my moments and my days,

Let them flow in ceaseless praise. 

Take my hands, and let them move

At the impulse of thy love;

Take my feet, and let them be

Swift and beautiful for thee. 

Take my voice, and let me sing

Always, only, for my King;

Take my lips and let them be

Filled with messages from thee. 

Take my silver and my gold: 

Not a mite would I withhold;

Take my intellect, and use

Every power as thou shalt choose. 

Take my love, my Lord, I pour

At thy feet its treasure store;

Take myself and I will be

Ever, only, all for thee!

– Frances Havergal