It is that time of year again, when the newspaper is thick with advertisement sections and articles and ideas about finding the “perfect” gift for those on your list to give gifts to. And I talk to people who are stressed about what to buy and how to pay for it. And I confess that I don’t get it. Giving gifts is not an obligation.
My Mom taught me all about giving gifts. Looking back, I now wonder how she managed to buy us food and clothing on the salary she made, but she always gave the most wonderful gifts, and helped me to do the same. The wisdom she imparted to me was that the best gifts are ones that you put yourself into. Giving of yourself is the most valuable thing you can give. Isn’t that what God did at Christmas? For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32) I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20) This gift that I have received is the best gift that anyone could get.
We always made gifts. This meant time. And planning. And mess. (Most of which I discovered as an adult, passing this tradition on to my children). When I first looked back on this, I thought it must be because we could not afford to buy gifts. Now I see it differently. Mom saw the value in teaching us to think of others before ourselves. She taught me joy in giving of my time, effort and imagination. And she taught me to appreciate time and thought others gave in gifts to me. My favorite gifts from my children are ones they have made. Visit my house at Christmas time and you will see ornaments they made, my Christmas sweatshirt with little handprints in the shape of a tree, and hear the sounds of the CD they recorded of themselves singing carols.
Even now when my children are grown, I make cookies and candy and give plates of goodies to many, with a card to remind them of Jesus as the ultimate gift. The only thing of real value that I have, was given to me on the first Christmas morning. The baby who was born in love, to live a perfect life in my place, and die a horrible death in payment for my sins. All I can do is pass the truth of that gift on. It is the best kind of re-gifting, because the love of God is a perfect fit for everyone.
Of course, I do not make all of my presents. But those I buy are bought with care and thought of what the person I am buying for would really like. I always wanted my children to get one gift that made them say, “Wow, I can’t believe you gave me something so perfect for me!”, so I could point them back to the perfect gift of salvation that we celebrate at Christmas.
I pray that my crafting and baking and shopping would all reflect the love of God, in giving us His Son.
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)
This is my prayer for the season. May I imitate my Lord and Savior in His love.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Diane