It has always struck me as odd that we give Christmas gifts to each other. Oh, sure, it's because the wise men gave gifts, but, still. Imagine this birthday party. "Thanks for inviting me to Your party, Jesus. Oh, no, these gifts aren't for you. They're for the other people you invited." Really strange. So I got to wondering. If we were actually going to celebrate Christ's birthday, what do you suppose His birthday wish list would look like?
Jesus said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15) It seems obvious, then, that Jesus would like my obedience. Easy, right? I'm doing it every day, right? Well, actually, no. When a lawyer asked Jesus about the great commandment, He said, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets" (Matt 22:37-40). If all the commandments rest on those two, I both have a good roadmap and a clear indication that I'm not obeying His commandments. Jesus repeatedly called on people to follow Him. He told His disciples, "If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me" (Matt 16:24). Jesus ... gulp ... would like me to take up a cross and follow. He wants me to ... lose my life (Matt 16:25). Of course, it isn't as bleak as it sounds. He wants me to have an abundant life (John 10:10). But, what He wants from me is death to self. He wants us to believe (John 6:29). He wants us to repent (Matt 4:17). He wants ... a lot of things. It looks like He actually has quite a list. And those are just a few of them.
We often have this saying. "It's the thought that counts." Jesus was always concerned about the heart (e.g., Matt 15:16-20). Perhaps the best gift we could give Jesus for His birthday would be our hearts, submitted, worshiping, ready to obey. A renewed heart can love Him, and loving Him produces obedience. The little drummer boy gave his talent. I think I'll give Him my heart ... over and over.
3 comments:
I agree that the appropriate response for me to the Incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ 2,000+ years ago is to take His word to heart--i.e. obey His wishes as He revealed them to His followers during His earthly ministry (as recorded in the Gospels, primarily). That, of course, is a year-long and life-long endeavor for me, highlighted by the ever-present expectation of His imminent return (Matt. 24:44, John 14:3, etc.). Rather than look back to His humble arrival, I am encouraged to “keep looking up” (Luke 21:28). That glorious day will truly bring comfort and joy to me!
In response to your opening mention of the Christmas tradition of gift exchanges, I will also concur that that practice is “odd” and “strange” (and to my mind, it barely honors Christ as much as it feeds consumption and materialism). (The gifts of the Magi were given to Jesus several years after His arrival so weren’t truly related to “Christmas” morning anyway.) The idea of a “birthday party” for Jesus or “Happy Birthday, Jesus!” sentiments strike me as sorely ignorant of the unfathomable miracle of the Incarnation of our Lord and Savior--the eternal God in the flesh. The more time that passes for me, the more I feel it appropriate--and urgent--to pray that my loved ones would receive the Savior and the gifts of forgiveness and eternal life. To me, sharing the Gospel reflects the true spirit of giving that should dwell in my heart--every day of the year.
Well, I just want world peace. Strangely enough, the best path toward peace is to follow the teachings and commands of Jesus, and rely on the grace of YHWH. Too bad so many, including christians, reject this.
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