Christmas is a wonderful time of year, with an emphasis on goodwill, time spent with family and friends, and plenty to eat and drink, all in a festive atmosphere. However, for many, the most distinctive and anticipated aspect of the Christmas season is the giving and receiving of gifts.
As a child, opening gifts on Christmas morning was what it was all about. Of all of the days in the year, that was the one morning that you did not need an alarm clock. In fact, it was hard to sleep the night before.
Now that I’m a husband and father, the roles have changed, and the anticipation comes more from seeing others excited about their gifts than being excited about your own.
Over the years of celebrating the tradition of giving and receiving gifts, I’ve observed and experienced a range of emotions when they are opened, whether under the tree, at a work gift exchange, or at a party. Sometimes the response was happiness, excitement, joy, and gratitude. But sometimes, it was disappointment, sadness, or even anger.
One response I cannot recall seeing is when the recipient felt so undeserving of the gift that they wanted to return it. I can’t remember feeling that way either. Overwhelming gratitude, yes. But to return it? No. After all, it’s Christmas! This is the time for gift-giving. Isn’t it? Now, it’s possible that someone may have felt unworthy but didn’t express it. Nonetheless, this response is rare.
Yet, the greatest gift ever given is one that we are all unworthy of. The most familiar verse in the Bible, John 3:16, which says,
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
succinctly captures this presentation and, in doing so, demonstrates multiple reasons why no other can surpass it.
- The Giver. The God of the universe, the one who is holy, perfect, and righteous, the one who created and owns everything, is the initiator of this gift.
- The Gift. The gift given was God’s only begotten Son. Humanity was given heaven’s best.
- The Recipients. Humanity, plagued with a sinful nature, received a gift that we did not deserve.
- The Motive. The motive was love, and not just any kind of love. It was unconditional love, love not based on any good thing that we did.
- The Benefit. The intent of the gift was that we would have life that never ends.
For all that went into giving this gift, the best and only wise response is to embrace the One who was given with immense gratitude, humility, and love for the Giver.
As we celebrate this Christmas, let’s allow the essence of this gift to permeate our attitude toward giving and receiving, and appreciate that no gift can ever surpass this one in value. Merry Christmas!