It’s gift-giving season once more … time to get our shopping on, to get out there and stimulate the economy with our pocketbooks and credit cards.
What can we give this year that hasn’t already been done?
A ring for Sis? She has so many, and besides, it’s not special.
A video game console for Tommy? He already has last year’s model … and the one from the year before that.
What can we give that will be distinctly original this year?
We do well to consider this example from Matthew 2:11:
“And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”
That again? Gold, frankincense and myrrh were last year’s gifts. We want something better. Something to break the mold.
Well, we think, scratching our heads and tempted to give in. What could be better than gold?
Yes, there is something better than gold. In our money-oriented society, we lose sight of the order of this passage.
They saw the child and worshiped, and only then did they open their treasures. They gave of themselves before they offered their three gifts of worldly origin.
This year, ask how you can give of yourself. Perhaps a coupon book of movie tickets and a promise to accompany Sis to each one. You can go ahead with that video console … and include a pledge for an hour a week battling Tommy at his favorite game.
You. That’s what people really want. You, at your best, with a hug and a smile on your face.
You are the gift that is better than gold.
Christ gave himself as the first Christmas gift. It’s our turn to do the same.
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