An Unwanted Gift

As Christmas comes perhaps you will be faced with a present which, if you’re really honest, you do not want and indeed wonder just where you’re going to put it. It’s not just at Christmas when we are given gifts which we’re sure we don’t really want or need. But then we see the love behind the gift, the thought that went into buying it, wrapping it, bringing it or sending it. In gratitude and love we accept it, write our thanks, and while still wondering where to put it are overwhelmed by the generosity of the gift.

In the scriptures, God promises to His people Israel, a gift. This gift will be a Messiah, one who is anointed and chosen. He will be one who redeems (buys back) the people from their fallen sinful ways. Now the people of Israel were not sure they really wanted this promised gift. Most of the time they were quite content with their lives, their mixed religious attitudes and their lax moral state. After all, if the gift came, everything would change, and they felt that they would have little control over the things that mattered to them. Of course, not everyone felt the same way, and some like the prophets really longed for the time when He would come.

When the Messiah (Jesus) came, He was not packaged up as most people expected - no trumpet fanfare - no mighty battle-horse - no public pageant or ceremony. Indeed the package of a child born in a stable, virtually unnoticed except for a few shepherds and an innkeeper, made this gift insignificant to most folks.

Sadly, Jesus still remains the unnoticed, unwanted gift, still in its wrappings. Every year this gift of love is offered to the world by the Church, at God’s request. And every year, thousands celebrate an event with no more than a party or celebration, and never open, or really see the gift, Jesus, who is at the centre of it all.

Shall we together, this year, make an effort to not only celebrate the gift of Jesus to the world, but also to make the gift known to our family and friends. After all, this gift is really worth having, and will become the most treasured thing we have. Jesus, our friend, Redeemer, Saviour and Lord. What a gift!