from Tom’s communion message at the December 15, 2019 worship service of the Tidewater region, Hampton Roads church
The Christmas season is a very special time in our family, with all the Christmas music, classic movies like It’s a Wonderful Life and newer classics like A Christmas Story and Elf, family times and unwrapping the gifts that Santa seems to always leave under the tree at the right time.
What’s the best gift you ever received for Christmas? Was it the best because it cost a lot, or it turned out to be something you really needed, or maybe it’s grown in what it means to you over the years.
When I was younger, it was a dump truck/track kit. I remember the anticipation, looking at the big box on Christmas morning under the tree. It looked huge and full of awesomeness! I remember unwrapping it, feeling surprised even though it was something I was hoping for, ripping off the paper and pulling out the pieces of the set. Then came setting it up and the joy of playing with it.
Later as an adult, a friend gave me a scarf. It wasn’t a big or expensive present, but I lived in New England and didn’t have one, so it was just what I needed. It’s become worn and tattered, but when we moved earlier this year, as we were throwing out and donating old things, I couldn’t bear to part with it. That scarf has taken on more meaning over the years because it reminds me of my friend and his thoughtfulness.
The gifts we tend to remember are the ones that were priceless: they were either big and expensive or costly in terms of figuring out what we wanted and the time taken to find it for us, or they take on a value beyond their price as we enjoy them and remember the giver. My dump truck was like that: in fact, years later, long after the original set was sent to the landfill, I found one on eBay and gave it to my Dad as a Christmas present to remember the great time he and I shared in setting up and using it years ago. My scarf is also a priceless gift, not because it was expensive, but it was thoughtful, just what I needed and has become more meaningful to me as I’ve used it over the years.
God’s gift to us was his son…
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
Isaiah 9:6
A child is born, a son is given. We know that he was a humble gift, not big and expensive, but one that was costly to the giver: God the Father.
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Luke 2:1-7
Jesus’ birth makes the gift from God seem plain and humble, not extravagant, memorable or even noticable. However, Luke goes on to describe how glorious the gift of Jesus was…
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Luke 2:8-14
The passage in Isaiah that we read earlier goes on to say…
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:6b-7
As God gave his Son to be born a child, he also gave him knowing he would give him as a sacrifice for us, a costly gift that was just what we needed and becomes more meaningful to us as we grow in our knowledge and love for Jesus.
This is the gift we receive each day as Christians. While we celebrate his birth once a year, we should take time each day to remember his death, burial, and resurrection and to live our lives daily in gratitude for God giving us Jesus, the best gift we could ever receive.
