Be a ‘wise man’, help a family in Iran survive a crisis!
What happened to the wise men’s gifts? They helped a family survive a time of crisis!
The custom of giving and receiving presents at Christmas remind us of the gifts given to Jesus by the wise men. What happened to these gifts? The Bible doesn’t specifically tell us; however, it does give us some clues.
Symbolic and practical gifts
The gifts the wise men gave were of course very symbolic. They were gifts fit for a king. Frankincense for example, was a perfume used in Jewish worship, and as a gift symbolized that Jesus would be worshiped.
However, the gifts were also very practical and timely. Remember Jesus parents were so poor that when they found no place at the inn they could do no better than lay their baby in a manger (Luke 2:7). For a family of a low economic status, receiving such expensive gifts must have been overwhelming. And it turned out to be God’s provision because right after the wise men departed, the young family had to run for their lives and seek refuge in Egypt. It was a long, and undoubtedly expensive journey to a country where they had no home or job. The wise men gave gifts valuable enough to survive this period of crisis. It is even possible that money was left upon their return to help provide for and educate Jesus, thus preparing him for his ministry.
Families in crisis after Iran earthquake
In Iran, thousands of families are suffering and homeless after a devastating earthquake. Many of their family members, friends and neighbors were killed or seriously injured. Survivors have nothing left. No homes, jobs, or any means to provide for or feed their children. It is becoming very cold outside, and desperate families currently are living in small tents, huddled together for warmth.
Back to Jerusalem is one of the few organizations with teams on the ground right now in these devastated, difficult to reach areas in Iran. With your help, our goal is to share the love of Christ by providing care packages to 500 families in this region in December!
Sponsor a family for $100 and bring hope to a family in crisis this Christmas season!
Buying supplies for families living in tents
Your $100 donation will pay for one family’s care package, which will include a heater, food supplies, boots, and warm clothes. Our Back to Jerusalem mission team will visit and minister to each family, and will personally deliver your sponsored care package.
While we may not be able to offer as much as the wise men offered to Jesus, when you sponsor a family for $100, you can make a difference in a family’s struggle for survival this winter and bring them much needed comfort and hope this Christmas season! And as with the wise men’s gifts, there is the symbolic value of showing these families that they are precious to God and not forgotten.
To those who decide to sponsor a family, we will mail a free Christmas in China (with Brother Yun) book as a thank you gift. Filled with beautiful photos and short stories reflecting Christmas in China, this book will make a wonderful gift or coffee table book! It also includes a CD with Chinese Christmas music.
Matthew 25:35-40
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison and you visited me. Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or without clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick, or in prison, and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
