The Perfect Gift

It was a few weeks before Christmas as a mother and her young son were in a local mall buying Christmas presents. The store windows were beautifully decorated with symbols of the holiday season.  One store had a sign in its window that read:  "You'll find the perfect gift inside."  The child stopped at the window, read the sign, turned to his mother and said,   "That's what I want to get you, mommy – can we go in?" 

Most of us have that deep desire too -- to give and receive the perfect gift, but where does one to find it?  What would you consider to be the perfect Christmas gift?  To answer that question we must understand that Christmas is a spiritual experience and we cannot discover its meaning apart from faith.  That’s why we need to reconnect with Luke’s wonderful story of the birth of Jesus and claim its message of our lives. 

I recall one occasion during this season when my son, David, was a small child.  When my children were growing up, as a part of our Christmas decorations we displayed a nativity scene, complete with the major characters of the Christmas story:  a stable, figurines of Mary and Joseph, an angel, a shepherd, and animals including sheep, donkey, and a cow. One afternoon, when the two of us were sitting in the living room admiring the decorations, I pointed out the crèche and the characters that were a part of the story. I asked him, “What is your favorite character?”  Without hesitation, he replied, “The cow.”  From that response I knew that a theological discussion was in order!  But how do you explain the wonder of the Christmas story, which we refer to in theological terms as the Incarnation, to a small child?  I recall shifting his focus to the more central figure -  the little manger where a baby lay, that was so small it could have easily been overlooked.  I told him about the baby whose name was Jesus, and how his birth was the first Christmas and how he was a gift to the world. I assured him that when he got older that he would understand how important Jesus’ birth was in human history.  After all, it does take adult maturity to comprehend the rest of the story – and how that baby Jesus grew to manhood, and how his teachings and actions transformed not only person’s lives of his day, but have continued to do so to this day!  So significant was that event that we mark time by his birth!  And here we are today in the twenty-first century, A.D., still recalling that magnificent event that transformed the world for all time.  God’s perfect gift came to us in the form of love incarnate!  John’s gospel expresses the Christmas story in these words: “In the beginning was the Word… and the Word became flesh and lived among us, full of grace and truth…and he have seen his glory…”   (John1:1; 14)    

The story of God’s perfect gift has deeper meaning for the message of Christmas is about love and reconciliation.  A few years ago one of the hit holiday movies that has now become a classis of the season was “Home Alone”.  It's about a family living in the suburbs of Chicago who plan to spend Christmas in Paris. In the rush of a late departure for the airport, the large family leaves their eight-year-old son, Kevin, behind. It is not until the plane has taken off that they discover he is missing. The remainder of the movie deals with how he copes with being alone in the house. There are many hilarious scenes, but my favorite scene centers around Kevin's encounter with the old man who lives next door. The old man has an unwarranted reputation as being cruet and mean. On Christmas Eve, Kevin wanders into church and while sitting alone in the pew, the old man comes in and sits down beside him. At first he is terrified, but then they began to talk, and Kevin learns that the old man is anything but mean and cruel. He learns that the man is lonely because he and his son haven't spoken for years. Then Kevin suggests that the old man invite his son and family over for Christmas. It's not until later that we learn that the old man took Kevin's advice and that reconciliation takes place. It is a powerful reminder that the most perfect gift is the gift of love that has the power to tear down walls that divide and build bridges and reconcile broken relationships. 
 
The message of Christmas can touch our lives with meaning no matter what the circumstances. When we least expect it and need it the most Christ comes to us as love we experience the miracle of Christmas. I have found that to be true many times.  Several years ago, I attended the funeral for John Arrington, the twenty-one year old son of a ministerial colleague.  As I sat waiting for the service to begin, I pondered what words would be used to bring comfort to the broken hearts of this family. John's pastor truly became God's Messenger of the hour as she spoke of John's life as God's gift to the world and to us who knew him. Then she reminded us of God's gift of love and the power of that love that conquers death.  She said all the right things, and I was comforted. As the service concluded and the body was moved from the chapel to the hearse, the organist began to play "Joy to the World." At first I was surprised at the selection of this song for a funeral. But then I realized that this was the affirmation needed at such a time as this. What a powerful reminder that in all circumstances, God has given us the perfect gift and nothing can take that away from us. The Apostle Paul expresses it this way: “Nothing can separate us for the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord…” This is the reminder we need today to move through this season and every season every day in hope and confidence.

We need to know in all of life's circumstances that God is with us. That's the meaning of Emmanuel --
God with us -- and the message of Emmanuel can touch us at our greatest times of need. We need the reminder that the incarnation is still a part of our faith story -- that God can and will come to us again and again. This is the perfect gift of Christmas! God's perfect gift to the world was expressed in John’s gospel: "God so loved each of us so much that he gave his only son that we who believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.”  Those who believe in Christmas must find ways to demonstrate Christ-like love for others so that the Word might become flesh once again. As we wrap and unwrap, give and receive gifts this Christmas, we need to remember God's perfect gift to the world.  To keep faith with the meaning of Christmas, our giving and receiving should be expressions of God's love in Jesus Christ. 

                                                                             

A man was shopping in a department store. Waiting in line to check out in front of him was a red-headed freckle-faced young teenager who began a conversation. “I know what I’m getting for Christmas,“ he said.  “What”, asked the old man.  The teenager replied, "I'm getting a ten-speed bike and a stereo, and that's just what I'm getting from my grandparents.  How about you, mister, what are you going to get?", he asked.  The man responded that he really didn't know. He had almost everything he needed and that he might not get anything. With that the youngster responded in surprise: "Not getting anything for Christmas -- come on, you’re kidding!  You've got to get something.  Christmas isn't Christmas unless you get something.”  I suppose in a way, the young man was right, though not in the way he meant it. Christmas is a reminder that we are recipients of the greatest gift of love in human form in Jesus Christ.  Scriptures remind us:  “We love because he first loved us.”  (1 John 4:19)   And when we receive God’s gift of love, we want to express love in return.
                                                                                                                                            
Throughout his life Jesus defined love as a self-less gift of oneself to another, given without conditions or expectations of receiving anything in return.  The heart of Christmas is that kind of love… a love that addresses the needs of others… a love that binds wounded, lifts the spirits of the discouraged, restores hope and seeks to make things whole again. It’s the kind of gift we need more than anything else in our world today! Indeed, Jesus taught us the meaning of love!

So how do we express love in return?  Simply by sharing the spirit of Christ-like love,  looking beyond ourselves and our desires to the needs of others.  Several years ago there was a terrible earthquake in Alaska and Anchorage suffered great devastation. Many people wrote to the governor demanding help.  The governor appeared on television and reported that, among all the demands, he had received a letter from a boy who had written him a note on a 3x5 card.  Taped to the card was two nickels. On the card was the following words:  “Use this where ever it is needed. If you need more, let me know.”  While two nickel isn’t much, it was a symbol of a child’s love and desire to help, and his gift motivated a tremendous response.  His simple message and act of giving touched the lives of thousands who responded with acts of charity.  A manger and stable in Bethlehem with a tiny baby didn’t seem like much either.  But because of his birth, the greatest love story began.  And the message of peace, motivated by Christ-like love, is still finding expression today through those who have come to know the Prince of Peace.  

One of my favorite songs of the season is the one about a drummer boy who want to give the baby Jesus a gift, but he had little to offer because he was poor.  This touching song remind us that the most meaningful gifts do not come wrapped in boxes. The most meaningful gifts come when we give something of ourselves in relationship to others. This is what the late Rev. Peter Marshall meant when he once said, "The important part of Christmas giving is any token of love: friendship, understanding, a helping hand, a smile, a prayer. You cannot buy these gifts in any store and they are the very things people need most."

My wife, Betty, and I receive many beautiful Christmas cards with messages during this special season. One card defines the meaning of Christmas this way:  "Jesus:  the gift of love; given to us eternally... freely... fully... without reservation.  Seeking our good... lifting us higher... bringing the best.  Forever He gives... forever He cares…Forever He Loves.”                                                               

Christmas offers each of us God’s perfect gift through faith – the gift that keeps giving.  As you claim, celebrate, and share that gift with others this Christmas, may you experience the true joy of Christmas!