Christmas gifts of great worth!
Christmas day we sat around the tree and watched our children open their gifts. I was reminded of my typical response to their question, what do you want for Christmas? “No fighting between you three and Peace and Love in the world.” This usually elicited rolled eyes and then “Okay what do you REALLY want?” Reflecting on those requests, answers, and questions I found myself working through the song, Little Drummer Boy.
Now, let’s not get distracted by the debate of the validity, enjoyment, and reality of the song. No jokes about the drummer boy not asking Mary what the baby needed or considering the consequences of playing a drum around a newborn baby. I was struck by the lines, “I am a poor boy, I have no gift to bring that’s fit to give a king.” Yes, it’s just a song, and depending on the various renditions it is quite catchy, but we have the opportunity to seize the moment to give worthy gifts this holiday season.
What does one really give the King, especially the one who created all things, and all creation belong to Him? Giving, out of love, is something beautiful, but commercialism has corrupted our generosity and fastened monetary worth to the value of others. Your financial status or the value monetary value of a gift, given out of love, does not impact the worth. Recently, I saw a car commercial that stated, “Show the ones you love that you do REALLY care, buy this car.” What can we give the King that demonstrates our love for Him? Put away your burning credit cards and set the wrapping paper down because the gift that God delights in cannot be bought or even have anything to do with finances.
Listen to Paul’s words: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” -Galatians 6:2
“So, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same LOVE, being in full accord and of one mind. Do NOTHING from selfish ambition or conceit, but in HUMILITY count others more significant than yourselves.” Philippians 2:1-3
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:12-14
Worship is our gift to God. At the very core of worship is LOVE. We love God so much that it literally shapes the way we treat and interact with others. Worship is giving of ourselves in love. Jesus in John 15 emphasized the necessity of loving others and in Paul’s words, based on Jesus’ command, spells it out even further for the Church-YOU and me. To deny forgiveness is to deny the very God who forgives you. To act selfishly and nurture distrust or dissension is to reject the very law of Christ. To walk away from community or others in arrogance is to make a mockery of the humility demonstrated by Christ. So, while we can create fancy bows and wrapped up gifts, when we do not simply love, our adorned gifts for the king are nothing short of “white washed tombs.”
So, what gift can we give to the King? According to Jesus’ Christmas list and Paul’s words, it is a life of grace and love demonstrated in our quick forgiveness and nurturing of peace. A willingness to bear the burdens of those in Hope Point and those around us. It is seeking unity and not manipulating division and hatred. Jesus prioritized Love. He loved the Father and nurtured that relationship. He loved each person, no matter the context or status. The gift we can give, no matter our financial status, is prioritizing our love for God and each person around us. Each moment you forgive and seek restoration is a gift. When you prioritize the needs of others and keep from fighting, you give a gift to the newborn King. While it is a tall order, Paul reminds us in Galatians 5 that when we are in unison with Christ and walking in the Spirit, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control become natural responses in all situations. Therefore, we can give the King what he really wants, Love towards others because His love is in us.
So, let us commit ourselves to each other for the rest of this Christmas Season - we still have 10 days! May we be mindful of even the small moments to prioritize and reveal that love to give the newborn King which he actually wants from us. May we make that love and humility an ongoing lifestyle and may we do all we can to nurture unity and peace. Happy Christmas!
