What is the gift of Christmas?
I don’t meant the gifts you will receive at Christmas, or even the gifts you will give at Christmas. The gift of Christmas is not the presents under the tree; it is not something we wrap at all.
“God never gives someone a gift they are not capable of receiving. If He gives us the gift of Christmas, it is because we all have the ability to understand and receive it.”
-Pope Francis
The gift of Christmas is the birth of the holy into our world. God has come to earth in a tangible, physical way— and the world has never been the same.
How do we accept this gift?
The lyrics to my favorite Christmas carol have helped me understand the depth of this mystery. Read these words slowly and with imagination.
O holy night,
The stars are brightly shining.
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices.
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
(Verse 1- O Holy Night)
Accepting the gift of Christmas means allowing your soul to feel it’s true worth. The deepest, most authentic part of you is loved and accepted by God. You are worthy of God’s love, and Christmas is the proof.
Do you feel a thrill of hope at these words?
Our world is weary— especially after these past two years. If your soul feels heavy or burdened right now, remember the gift of Christmas!
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name!
(Verse 3- O Holy Night)
Accepting the gift of Christmas means recognizing the foundational unity between all humankind. There is no such thing as a slave— there is only a brother. All of humanity is united because God’s gift of the Savior’s birth is for the whole world.
In a world of division, Christmas offers us unity. Let us grasp onto this message and make it true for our community. There is no me vs. you— there is only us. Christmas heals the divisions within us, and our world.
What is the only possible response to the gift of Christmas?
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born!
(Chorus- O Holy Night)
We fall on our knees before the stable. We reflect with awe on the night when the divine became human; the night Christ was born.
This is the gift of Christmas, given to you by God.
This Friday is Christmas Eve! We offer three worship services:
4:30 pm— a service geared toward children and their families. There will be a live nativity, including a donkey!
7 pm— a traditional candlelight and communion service.
9 pm— a traditional candlelight and communion service.
Join us in person or via live streaming as we celebrate together the wondrous gift of Christmas. And on Sunday, Dec. 26 Pastor Dana will lead us through a reflection on the year.
See you on Friday!
—Pastor David
