A Christmas Benediction

William Theron Yates

It's Christmas time! Got your gift list ready? Wondering what to get your kid for Christmas? Something useful (clothes, perhaps) or something fun (a bike, a game)? What to give your loved ones, the mailman, your second cousin twice-removed...
Why do we give gifts at Christmas anyway?

What is a gift? The dictionary defines "gift" as

"Anything given; anything voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation; a present; an offering."


The custom of giving gifts at Christmas is said to be derived from the actions of the Magi in giving gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ Child. But these gifts can be said to be rightly His due as King.

The proper example for our gift-giving is God Himself. God the Father has given us the Ultimate Gift, His only Son, Jesus Christ. Why? We certainly do not deserve such largesse.

God gave this gift solely out of His love for us. And this gift, though freely given, was purchased for us at a terrible price: the blood of His only beloved Son. And we are able to accept that gift only through God's gift of faith.
Christ, too, is our example of gift-giving. He gave himself for us.
The Holy Spirit is also our example of gift-giving. The Spirit is the gift that keeps on giving.

When you give gifts, what do you look for in the recipient?
A look of surprise, joy, and gratitude. It is what makes gift-giving so satisfying.

And what is our response to the gifts of God?
We respond with surprise‹that we are so loved when we know we do not deserve it.
We respond with joy‹that we have received eternal life with Christ.
We respond with gratitude‹that we have been saved from our just condemnation.

Now as you enter this gift-giving season, give according to the example of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. And receive according to how you have received these gifts from God: with surprise, joy, and gratitude.

Now may God Almighty, the Great Giver of Gifts, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, grant you the peace and joy of Christmas in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of His great Gift, His only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen and Merry Christmas!


© 2004 by William Theron Yates. All rights reserved.