The excitement of Christmas can sweep up most of us. Even when kids grow up, they look back at Christmas as a season when focus and priorities change; energy and effort are put into decorating, shopping, and making plans for getting together with others. But as a kid, let’s be honest, it’s the presents that stir imaginations and desires.
Childhood Memories
I remember as a boy snooping around the house, looking for any clues of what I might be getting on Christmas morning. In the closets, in the garage, and ah ha!, there it was, a plain brown box under my parents’ bed with a shipping label with the name of a company I recognized. I knew the company well, because they always sent a catalog filled with games, slime, gadgets to play tricks on people, and all kinds of novelties boys love! I would circle all of my favorites in that catalog, so I couldn’t help but wonder which of my favorite things my parents had gotten me. There was no way for me to open the box without my parents knowing. But on Christmas morning, I was delighted to discover so many of the things I had circled in the catalog. Only, it wasn’t my parents who ordered these gifts.
My aunt and uncle from Boston had trouble knowing what to get me, so they sent money to my parents and asked them to buy me a Christmas gift on their behalf. Now that I’m older, I have a greater appreciation for when someone puts thought into buying the perfect gift based on what they know about a person. But, as a little boy, I thought it was great that my aunt and uncle remembered me and provided for a memorable Christmas!
The Gift-Giving Equation
In gift giving, there are sometimes more than two sides in the equation.
Our church in Buffalo, NY, hosts a Christmas shopping experience where families facing hardship can get gifts for their children, and some for themselves, so they can have a joyous time they wouldn’t have otherwise. While they may never know the individuals or businesses who donated to help make these gifts possible, they do know that a Christian church in their area cares for those in need and experiences the care the church has for them individually.
Many times gifts are given directly to someone, but sometimes gifts are given through someone. Either way, the thoughts, focus, and heart are ultimately towards the one receiving the gift.
Lessons from the Wise Men
The wise men presented Jesus and his parents with gifts that would undoubtedly sustain them as they fled to Egypt, escaping King Herod’s threat.. In their giving, we see two possible motivations: obedience and desire. Either or both can be true for us. We don’t always need to feel led to give, nor do we need to want to give; sometimes we give out of obedience, sometimes out of desire, and sometimes out of both. But one thing we do know regarding the wise men from the east, they did not wait or seek an audience before presenting their gifts., Sometimes it’s good for others to see that specific individuals gave to a worthy cause; it communicates their support for the mission and future of the organization, and it can “provoke others unto good works,” inspiring more people to get behind something meaningful. For the wise men, though, they were simply determined to bless the newborn King. A King whose throne would stand for eternity evermore, and whose arrival was thrust upon the world during their lifetime.
The Focus of Giving
Whether you are a Christian Service Brigade Unit leader directly pouring into the lives of children and teens in your area, a CSB staff member writing curriculum, providing coaching and training, supporting through the National Office, or especially if you are a donor whose financial generosity makes all of this possible, the focus remains the same and will always be giving to the next generation!
A Reflection for Advent
As you prepare your heart this Advent season, I encourage you to truly reflect on the gift you and I were given through the birth and incarnation of our Lord Jesus. Through the greatest miracle of all time, our creator God gave both directly to us and through another. Our Heavenly Father stepped into human history, splitting time in two, to give of Himself to the world. But He also gave through the birth, life, burial, and resurrection of His son Jesus. His focus was not only on Mary and Joseph, or the wise men, or even just on the shepherds, to whom He first announced Jesus’ birth. The creator of the universe, in an ultimate display of generosity, had His focus on blessing all He wanted to receive His gift. That includes you, your family, the next generation, and all the generations to come until His return! It’s His free gift to you. Will you receive it?
