...CommentsThe Pastor's Vision
What Gift Shall You Give?
Luke 2:6-10 (KJV)
December 17, 2000
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angle of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angle said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Consider this in the first weekend of Christmas shopping, we consumers charged more than a billion dollars. Would it be fear to say that we are generous? Is this a reflection of our magnanimity or our materialism. I am not writing this as a Scrooge, but more as a Gadfly.
Let us think about the reason for the season. To a world of lost sinners, He came. God sent Him forth from glory, from the Thrown of Grace, to be a special gift to mankind. We call the day of his birth Christmas, "Cristes maesse" is the Mass of Christ. Let us not forget that the gift of Christ was given to satisfy our greatest need. When gifts become so insignificant as they relate to the whole of our lift, they become worthless. If when we receive a gift at Christmas and before the "holiday" season is over, it has lost its impact. Maybe it really didn't have any impact on our lives. We were filled with excitement but were we satisfied?
God's gift of Jesus is meant to satisfy the person that receives it and cherishes its worth. From this small beginning comes what everyone is looking for, Joy. The Greek word is Chara (khar-ah); cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight. Jesus Christ causes cheerfulness to come into the individual's life. Jesus is not a gift that wears off after a while. He is such a special gift in that He is a living gift, and He brings lift to all men. Do you want plastic or the real thing, Jesus Christ?