What would you take to Bethlehem?

The Wise Men offered gold, frankincense and myrrh — but where can you get hold of myrrh these days? The Spectator asked Britain’s great and good what they would give Jesus if He were born today

The Most Reverend Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York

Firstly I would give Him myself. My life is the only valuable possession that I could give Him. We are all made in God’s image and likeness. Only a god-like gift is worthy of God. The offering of my total self forms part of my worship.

The second gift I would offer Him is my lips, acknowledging Him as Lord of everything. The prayer of General Thanksgiving in the Book of Common Prayer says it all: ‘We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life, but above all for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace and for the hope of glory.’ Thanksgiving is the second gift worthy of the God of love.

Thirdly, I would give Him an open invitation to come and stay with me in Yorkshire. It is important that we do not just think of our gifts as financial transactions — giving our time to others and allowing them into our lives is an incredibly valuable and enriching experience. It would give Him a chance to get to know the wonderful people who live in ‘God’s own county’, where generosity and hospitality are strong traditions. Although whether I could persuade Him to join me at York City FC is another matter entirely!