And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11 ESV

“What’s for dinner honey?” I said with a laugh knowing that it would be lentil soup for its fourth and final performance. Those first years of our marriage any shopping was a low cost adventure. Though Christmas was coming a tree and decorations were things we didn’t even dare imagine.

Christmas Eve came and since it was pay day, I waited line for my check (about a hundred dollars). “Merry Christmas” My boss said winking as he handed me my envelope. “And a little something extra for you tonight.”

I peeked inside and drew a quick breath in amazement. “Wow thanks Joe! Merry Christmas to you too” I said amazed at seeing the fifty dollar bill he had tucked inside!

I drove home through the heavy traffic getting there just before five. “Come on Nancy! Let’s go buy a tree!” I shouted as I ran up the stairs to show her my bonus. Five minutes later we bundled up and drove around the corner just in time where the owner was delighted to sell us a tree for five dollars, just before he closed.

Then we raced over to the Woolworth store a few blocks away, where for 10 cents each we bought some colored glass bulbs and a string of lights with tinsel. God hadn’t needed to send the wise men to Bethlehem with gifts to make it Christmas; but He did. That Christmas our wise man was named Joe and he left us a treasure that we still open every year.