The first Christmas gift

Somehow over the centuries (from the 1^st century AD to our present day) Christmas got associated with gifts. But what is most often overlooked and forgotten is the gift on the first Christmas. Nah I’m not talking about the frankincense, gold and myrrh, these fade away into oblivion before the Father’s gift. Jesus- the Father’s gift to a ailing humanity, Jesus- the reason for the season.

The gift which came not in glittering paper yet was encased in manger-hay when viewed by His first visitors. The gift which wasn’t delivered by a Santa but whose coming was announced by an angel and the arrival celebrated by a host of these angelic beings. It wasn’t under a tree decked with lights but under the vast expanse of the night sky illuminated by the stars. And in this collision of the Heaven’s Best with the poverty of our world, lies the invitation to every boy and girl, man and woman; irrespective of cast or creed or color, to partake of the gift. The gift came not with an expiry date but with a life time validity with the after effects reaching into eternity.

The Father sent His best to draw to Him His estranged creation, only the best could satiate the pangs of the Father’s heart to be united with His alienated creation, if He didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? (Romans 8:32 Message).

The Jews needed a Messiah and waited so long for His arrival, but finally couldn’t recognize Him when He came. Their myopic vision was fixed in the palace for a regal Messiah so they missed the servant King who came through the humble manger.Our world today, needs a Messiah too, hope we learn from the loss incurred by the Jews due to their inability to recognize Him. Father’s gift is still valid, “Behold, He stands at the door and knocks…”

Have a blessed Christmas season.