By Jacqueline Kelly –
A Gift can change everything and that is what God did at Christmas.
Come Christmas and giving gifts seems like the focus of the entire season. In many places of the world, Christmas is a day for giving gifts like cakes, sweets, toys or money. It is a day full of lights, decorations and delicious food.
Some people associate this tradition with the gifts given to Jesus by the three wise men- Frankincense, gold and myrrh. [Matthew 2:11] But, more than the gifts of the wise men is Christmas itself, because God set the first example by gifting His Son to the world.
Another merging of Pagan and Christian tradition is the giving of gifts. There are many roots of this custom. The Magi’s gifts to Jesus [the first true Christmas gifts], the Roman exchange of gifts during Saturnalia. By the 12th Century, gift-giving was a common practice throughout Europe. By the 16th Century, the focus was on children [thanks to Saint Nicholas], who would receive three kinds of gifts: a pleasing gift [such as chocolate], a practical gift [such as a writing implement], and a disciplinary gift [such as a birch rod for an occasional spanking]. The day ofgift-giving varies greatly in different Christian cultures and times.
December 6 – in memory of St. Nicholas
December 24 – Christmas Eve
December 25 – Birthday of Jesus
January 1 – New Year
January 6 – Epiphany
Many people do not know the true meaning of Christmas – about the gift that changes everything! Sometimes, we feel that no one in the world cares about us, and then an extra special present makes all the difference.
That’s what God did at Christmas!
God gave us a gift that is better than anything that money can buy. This gift is a person – a real person who lived in Israel over 2000 years ago. Jesus was born in a humble manger but He was very special. He was completely human, but all the fullness of the one true God lives in His Human Body! He came all the way from Heaven because He loves us very much! He wants to forgive your sins and give you life forever in Heaven.
Today, Jesus offers you the gift of Himself. You don’t have to pay for this gift, or be rich or important to receive it. Just accept it!
The Star of Bethlehem led the wise men to Infant Jesus. The shepherds brought a lamb, a sheep and a calf and apologised for being unable to bring expensive presents. Joseph and Mary however, were delighted with what they had brought. And so, this is the thought behind the gift that counts.
All over the world, families and friends give presents to each other, beautifully wrapped and carefully chosen. It is hard to imagine celebrating Christmas in the modern world without giving gifts. When one gives a gift, it is a symbol of ongoing commitment of a relationship with the other person, and the one accepting the gift also symbolically expresses his or her relationship to continue, with the gift-giver.
We give gifts to others to let them know that we love them and value their friendship. In other words, we give gifts to each other, because God gave us the best gift of all.
No one was really in the habit of exchanging elaborate gifts until the late 1800’s.
The Santa Claus story, combined with an amazing retailing phenomenon that has grown since the turn of the century, has made gift-giving a central focus of the Christmas tradition.
According to William Carey Jones: The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each other’s burdens, easing other’s loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas.
This Christmas, let us give a gift to Jesus. Let us give Him our hearts to love Him and to spread this love amongst others and to make Him known to the world.
Let us wish Him a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!