A lasting Gift-A Christmas meditation

I can remember the Christmas' of my youth. When I was a child, I could not wait for Christmas morning. I was anxious to see what gifts I waiting for me under the Christmas tree. Each Christmas, I always worried about what gifts I would buy for others. I always wondered if I would have enough money to buy gifts and if they would be the right gifts to give. As circumstances have changed, and as I've grown older, I had to reevaluate my understanding of Christmas. Are we so obsessed with Christmas gifts that we've lost the true meaning of this season? Many people fret and worry about what gifts that they'll give and receive. People will pile up a large amount of debt to buy gifts, and many will have little money to spend on gifts. In these days, it is not uncommon to see the Christmas shopping season arrive in stores long before the celebration of Thanksgiving. It would seem that Santa can now have Thanksgiving dinner even before the Christmas season even starts.

It seems to me, that the Christmas season has been stripped of it's true meaning. What we are seeing is the "secularization" of Christmas. There has been overtime, a removable of Christ from the season. Many focus on the many gifts that they'll both give and receive, rather then the one gift given to the whole world. We'll receive gifts that will give joy for a time, but will soon lose their luster. These gifts will not last; they'll fade and fall away in time. If we are to focus on 'gifts' this holiday season, then let us focus upon the great and lasting gift that God has given to us-His own dear Son.

The person of Santa Claus is based on an early Bishop named; St. Nicholas. He was famous for giving gifts to the poor. He is remembered each December 5. Different countries around the world have different ways to celebrate St. Nicholas day. In the United States, there are also different customs. One custom is that on the night of December 5th, children would put out one empty shoe(sock). The following morning, they would find the shoe or sock full of candy and presents. If the children had been "good," they received gifts. If they had been "bad," they received a lump of coal.

Do we deserve the good gifts from God? People might appear "good" in the eyes of the world, but God knows the human condition. Our own "goodness" does not erase the reality of sin. Because of sin, human kind does not deserve God's good gifts and favor; but a "lump of coal." Human kind deserves to be punished like naughty children.

The Christmas season points us to the love of God for sinners. God gave to the human race a gift of lasting value. God's gift is summed up in these words; "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) God gave of His Son so that all who believe will have forgiveness and eternal life. Through Jesus, believers have a lasting gift that does not fade or tarnish. It is a gift for all time.

When people receive gifts, they sometimes will exchange them for something else. With this gift, an exchange did take place. Through his suffering and death, Christ took on our sinfulness, and we took on his righteousness and holiness. This is called the "blessed exchange." Through faith in Christ, we receive many lasting gifts
and a peace that never ends. When we think about this great gift, may we exclaim along with St. Paul; "Thank God for his Son-a gift too wonderful for words!" (1 Cor. 9:15-Living Bible) Jesus is that wonderful and lasting gift that God has given us.

The Christmas season is a wonderful time to tell others about Jesus. We can tell others that God showed His love in giving us the gift that gives both peace and joy. This is grace; God's undeserved kindness. This season reminds us of God's grace shown to all. While we'll focus on buying and receiving gifts, we let focus more on the gift that God has given. It is a more lasting and priceless gift that blesses us for all time.

May you have a blessed and joyful Christmas.

Merciful and most loving God, by whose will and bountiful gift Jesus Christ our Lord humbled himself that he might exalt mankind, and became flesh that he might renew in us the divine image; grant unto us the inheritance of the meek,perfect in us thy likeness, and bring us at last to rejoice in beholding thy beauty, and with all thy saints, to glorify thy grace, who hast given thine only Son to be the Saviour of the world. Amen.

"Praise be, Jesus Christ!"