CHRISTMAS GIFTS (or, a father’s Xmas wish)
At our family Xmas party, looking around the room filled with family, I asked the youngest, “would you rather have this bowl of chocolate, or a signed, blank check?” Of course, he reached out for the treat, oblivious to the value of the paper. Point being, how often do we opt for the immediate over the immortal, the exciting over the eternal, the trash over the truth?
Xmas means gifts! (To all, except scrooges!) Where did this get started? Some would point to St. Nicholas. (4th cent. bishop who secretly gave gifts to his church flock) Others would look deeper to the Magi. (what three gifts?) But, the “root” of this Xmas “tree” is God himself!!
Gift-giving is a big deal in December, but, moreso it is an important theme in Holy Writ. -- Matt.16:26 “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” And, Isa.9:6 “… to us a child is born… a son is given…” And there is the crucial theme verse -- Jn. 3:16 “God loved us so much that he gave his own son…”
The Father gave, but make no mistake, it runs even deeper -- Jn.10:1-18 “good shepherd … no man takes my life; I lay it down freely…” (Jesus gave his life; it was not taken from him.) The Apostle Paul gets to the crux with his crescendo -- Rom.6:23 “… free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” One of my touchstone passages, Eph.2:8-9 “saved by grace through faith… it is the gift of God” -- this free gift is both our faith, and our salvation! Look around! How few have faith in their heart. And, how weak is the faith that flickers in too many hearts. What a great gift is belief!
Challenge: John writes that he has no greater joy than to hear that his children are faithful. (3Jn.4) As Job sacrificed continually for his children, daily I pray for my children. The gift of FAITH I would pass on. (and, so would fathers gone home from among us.) Joshua’s challenged -- “choose ye this day…” yet, too few choose, or, even feel the need to choose, … What will it be? Chocolate ice cream, or the real treasure? Let this choice, for faith, be intense, as Paul challenges -- Rom.12 “give your life as a living sacrifice” And, then pass on this precious gift of faith! Mt.10:8 “freely you have received, freely give…” Oh, and one more! Acts 2 “…you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…” _____________________________________________________________________________________
Matthew 1:18-25 (KJV)
18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
