The Gift: A Christmas Celebration

Over 2000 years ago, we received a gift. It was salvation, it was peace and love and joy. It was Jesus Christ.

Sometimes it seems as if the Christmas holiday is all about greed, and buying, and having something better than the next person, and overwhelmingly commercial. Sometimes that makes me sad. That’s when I try to remember the first Christmas, that magical night when God gave us his greatest gift – His own Son. And I go looking for the story of that first night.

Luke reports on that first night in a portion of the Bible (American Standard). He reports:

^_ Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled.

^- This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.

^- And all went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city.

^- And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,

^- to enroll himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child.

^- And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered.

^- And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

^- And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.

^- And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

^- And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people,

^- for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.

^- And this [is] the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.

^- And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

^- Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased.

^- And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

^- And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger.

^- And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child.

^- And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds.

^- But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.

- And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.

^- And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called JESUS, which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

There’s a lot more to the story, which most of you know, and depending upon which gospel you read. That first Christmas story is my favorite, because a gift, that child, was given, and the gift promised peace and love and joy. I like to think that the gifting season began on that first night, and summons me to give gifts to those I love. As I wrap each gift, I think of peace and joy and love, and hope it is included with each gift, as our Father did so long ago.

Merry Christmas to you all. May peace and love and joy be your gifts this Christmas.