Christmas Once Again

"Jingle bells, Jingle bells, Jingle all the way",............"Holy Night when stars are bright and shining....", "Santa claus is in town....coming around with gifts and love". Songs, words, elegy, chants of the Christmas season pervades the air. And why not? This is the period of time when the whole world irrespective of race, culture, religion or creed agree as one to celebrate what the Roman calendar (which we have adopted) calls the yuletide.

Gifts are exchanged, smiles are shared and the miserly shock recipients by giving! It's the Joy of the season many say, and we do take time to express sincere love to the needy. One statement says that in this time, we need to embrace the season's spirit by "giving up what we want for others who need it".

Truly this idea is the reason for the season. Once upon a time, God gave up what he might want, for us who needed it. He gave himself as a precious gift to the world, thus sparking a spirit of free giving in sincerity and love. However, behind the spirit of the giving is the reason for the giving......God gave up himself so we can appreciate his gift, accept his gift and make the best of it.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16)

Imagine if during this yuletide, you gave up your most expensive valuable to a needy person, only to discover that that person didn't show gratitude, didn't appreciate it and didn't value it. What more, this person scorned you and the gift and made its usefulness of no effect in his life. How would you feel? Lets say you gave up your expensive 2006 porsche convertible and found out the recipient is using the gift as a commodity vehicle, maybe to transport perishable items.

Truly we ought to think about God's gift to humanity in this season and respond more appropriately. An acceptance of this gift ushers us into eternal life! What better promise of hope, life and light now and beyond now. This is the true masterpiece! The better gift! Christmas is here again, we ought to rejoice! But while we eat the steaks, pudding, chocolates, and drink the wine........let's pause for a moment and think, have we accepted the one who sparked off the giving two centuries ago?

His name is Jesus.....and as Santa comes knocking handing out gifts to all, JESUS is knocking as well! HE is however not handing out any perishable gifts, he is handing out HIMSELF........with a promise of a fulfilling life now and forever more. When he knocks (and surely he will yet again), please open the door!