At this time of the year, we are all searching for the perfect gift for our loved ones and friends. We want Christmas to be special for the people we know and love. We want it to be memorable. We rush here and there looking for the perfect gift. The truth is, the most Perfect Gift has already been given to us. God has given us the Perfect Gift. He has given us the gift of the Christ Child – this gift of Salvation and Redemption which comes wrapped in swaddling clothes. It is a gift we can actually hold. The story is found in St. Luke’s Gospel, Chapter 2 verses 1 – 7.
This gift, The Right Gift, The Perfect Gift which God has chosen for us and sent wrapped in swaddling clothes, is a gift of hope. A gift from heaven which reminds us that we are not alone.
In a world filled with loneliness and despair, fueled by abject poverty, hunger and disease, senseless killing and war, we need to hear that WE ARE NOT ALONE. God wants us to remember and know that there is Hope. There is Forgiveness. There is Grace. There is Redemption. All of this comes through this Perfect Gift which God has chosen for us – this Gift which allows and affirms without a shadow of a doubt that we ARE the children of God.
Our job is not only to accept this Gift, but to make sure that this Perfect Gift that God has chosen for us does not get buried in all the wrapping paper and trappings of Christmas. Our job is to make sure that this child is born in our hearts and not just in our memories. For, it is only when Christ is born in our hearts that we can begin to fulfill God’s purpose for us. That purpose is to bring Good News, to be disciples who intentionally make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. When we allow the Perfect Gift of the Christ Child to live in our hearts, it changes everything.
Truly understood, Christmas is not about finding the Perfect Gift for everyone in the family. It is about the Perfect Gift which has already been given, the Perfect Gift which started this whole celebration. The Perfect Gift which, when opened, once again fills us with Hope, Joy, Peace and Love. The Perfect Gift which allows us, begs us, enables us to see the whole world in a different light. The Perfect Gift which came wrapped in swaddling clothes and lay in a manger.
Not only is the gift perfect, but also it is the most important Gift. Ever so often we hear the awful stories about babies being left unattended in the most unlikely places. We hear of people who just happen to be passing by, seeing these babies and wondering what to do.
In a way, we are all in the same situation. We do not think about it but every Christmas God Himself walks up to us and asks, “Would you hold my baby, please?” And then He places Jesus, the Christ Child into our arms.
We are then left with the question, what are we going to do with this baby? The Scriptures provide us with several names for this baby that we hold in our arms. Emmanuel, “God with us”, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Christ the King, Jesus the Christ, Son of God, Son of Man, Saviour.
The question is still very important because this child whose birth we celebrate is the Most Important Gift we will ever receive. It is the Perfect Gift.
So, what are you going to do with the baby? Where will this baby live after Christmas? Will there still be room in your heart? What will you do with this Most Important, Perfect Gift from God?
I implore you make room in your hearts for the Gift of the Christ Child, this Christmas, and allow Him to dwell there throughout your life.
A Blessed Christmas to all!
