Christmas Gifts

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

Despite the stains of commercialism, secularization, and Christian protests against the practice, Christmas is most assuredly about giving gifts. It is the never-ending story about the greatest gift ever given. The story does not change because the gift is continuously being given and the need for it grows with each new birth.

For a season each year people everywhere draw inspiration from the Holy Spirit to emulate the goodness of their Creator. It is an imperfect effort at best. We give to those we love or to those whom we expect to give back to us. God gives, in full measure, to those who love Him, to those who do not know Him, and to those who hate Him. In loving our neighbors as ourselves we give the gift of Christ, our Savior.

Christmas is a time for giving—not material things, but the intangibles of faith, hope and love. “Give, and it shall be given unto you…” Give God’s gifts and you shall be like the widow’s barrel of meal—never empty.

Why, then doesn’t the Spirit of Christmas last? Oh, but it does. Christ says, “Follow me,” and our lives become the gift we are giving by proclaim the salvation of God. Living in the world, yet set apart from it, we take up our Cross. Giving our lives is our gift to God.

Not everyone welcomed the Babe of Bethlehem. Yet He remains the gift of God given for all. Each day He brings joy and goodwill to every heart that receives Him. The spirit is truly willing. If the flesh is weak, He has overcome it, rising from the dead to give new life—His life, the gift of God to all mankind.