Christmas is this week Marion Church Family!
Are giving and receiving gifts a part of your Christmas celebration?
Each year, Twila and I pick out an ornament for Jonathan and Abigail that tries to capture something about that year. We usually give the kids their ornament on Christmas Eve to put on our Christmas tree. At this point our children have accumulated a lot of Christmas ornaments… twenty for Jonathan and eighteen for Abigail. In fact, we can’t fit all those ornaments on our tree. It is fun to look at the ornaments and remember that time in their lives. For a few years when our children were small, we left them pick their own ornaments… wow that was a disaster!
In more recent years, our family has opted out of giving each other gifts and try to do something throughout the year. Culturally speaking, gifts have become a large part of our Christmas celebration. We all know those people who are great at finding the perfect gift to give, and we also know those that seem to have a unique ability of giving less than desirable gifts.
I guess we give gifts at Christmas time because the Magi brought gifts to Jesus… side note, don’t you think they were terrible gifts for a little boy? Maybe the gift giving tradition continues because we recognize that Jesus is the ultimate gift that God gave us. And if that is true, isn’t it ironic that so many people missed the gift of Jesus when he was alive and walked the earth. That somehow God could become human and live face to face among us, and we would have no idea that it was Emmanuel… God with us. And the more Jesus tried to show and tell us, the more we would deny it, grow to hate him, and cheer for his execution.
I wonder how these folks could miss who Jesus was…
As I have pondered this question over the years, I wonder if it was first century Israel thought Jesus didn’t act like, talk like, behave like a God sent deliverer of Israel.
Have you ever received a gift that you didn’t think you needed or wanted?
Maybe it was a pack of socks, or another necktie, or a pair of slippers. Or maybe it was a book on dieting or overcoming selfishness. Can you imagine receiving a gift that points out a flaw in your life?
If you are shocked that I am comparing Jesus to a pack of socks or a book on how to lose weight, stick with me.
I don’t think the first century Israelites are that much different than us. I believe sometimes we view Jesus as the gift we don’t want, at least not yet. We are young, we want to live life on our terms. There will be plenty of time to give our life to Jesus later, when we are done having a little fun. Or, maybe Jesus is the reminder of what needs some correction or attention in our life, and by our nature we would rather live in a world where we don’t have to admit our flaws and weaknesses.
There are times when I wish I was alive during the time when Jesus walked the earth. To meet him, to watch him, to hear him teach… wouldn’t that be amazing! But then there are other times when I think that Jesus might have disappointed me, let me down, and didn’t live up to my expectations.
This week as you celebrate Christmas, however you celebrate… gifts or no gifts… take time to recognize the greatest gift we will ever receive.
Jesus.
This Sunday during our congregational care, you will have the opportunity to share. I invite you to think about the ways that the gift of Jesus has entered your life. Remember, God is choosing to reveal God’s self through us.
Where have we seen that?
Where have we experienced that?
Let’s talk about it on Sunday.
Merry Christmas!
~ Pastor Dustin
