This month we will do something different, something more interactive. See if you can determine the train of thought from the following Scripture passages:
But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21)
After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11)
“It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28)
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life...” (John 3:16)
If your conclusions were the two words “giving” and “service” as the threads that connected the above passages together, you were correct. All that God the Father and God the Son accomplished throughout the Christmas story (which, by the way, did not end at Bethlehem) centered around the wondrous gift of salvation which Christ came to share with us. Throughout His time on earth, He never became wealthy or materially prosperous, but sought always to serve others, literally pouring out Himself so that those around Him might know the fulness of true life.
What a contrast to that which we now celebrate as Christmas! God’s gift of Christ was God-centered, other-focused. All around us today the Christmas season promotes a “what’s in it for me” mentality with very little thought of service to the “least of these My brethren”. It’s time for a change and that change must come by God’s people displaying this authenticity of the true spirit of Christmas.
Here are some constructive thoughts for us to consider. (1) Take some time this Christmas to volunteer at a local soup kitchen, homeless shelter, food bank or clothing exchange. If you have children, be sure to take them with you so they can see firsthand that there are a number of people and families not nearly as materially blessed as you are. It might even prompt your children to donate some of their own treasured items so that others can be blessed in their use. (Note: Remember we as believers in Christ never want to be accused of donating our junk just to make room for the new “good stuff” we plan to purchase for ourselves. How hypocritical that would be in the world’s eyes!)
A second idea (2) is to take some of the funds you would use on yourself and order much needed items for folks in other areas of the world through organizations like Samaritan’s Purse, World Vision, etc. These groups usually publish catalogs with a number of selections and price lists that a family can use to make such a Christmas gift decision. These options could also possibly be found on the websites of the organizations.
The basic thing we want to do as Christians is to teach our children and our communities that the focus of Christmas is not the materialism we are so used to seeing around us. The blessing of Christmas is in the giving and service to others as based on the reason why Christ came in the first place. After all, regardless of what the secular world would have us to believe and how hard they may fight to have it otherwise, there will never be Christmas without Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior and Lord of all! Amen.
