The Christmas Gift

2 Corinthians 9:15 – Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (NIV)

"I can't wait until you see Melody [not her real name] open the present I bought her for Christmas," our friend said. Melody was an only child, and planning for Christmas was an exciting event in my friend's home. On Christmas Eve, several people from our neighbourhood, who couldn't make it home to see their own families, gathered around our Christmas tree to celebrate together. After telling the story of the first Christmas, and singing a number of carols, each child was allowed to open the gift their parents had placed under the tree earlier in the day.

Melody's parents put a brightly wrapped parcel in her lap, and waited anxiously for the toddler to open their carefully chosen gift. "Open it, Melody," her father urged, as he helped her pull the tape off the wrapping paper. Melody turned the package over slowly, and picked at the paper. "Hurry," her father urged again and again. She hugged the parcel close to her body but made no further attempt to unwrap it. The father couldn't contain his excitement any longer, so he pulled the colourful clown out of its box, and handed it to his daughter. Melody, ignoring the gift, turned to pick up the scraps of coloured paper and the empty box. A look of disappointment crossed her father's face. The gift so lovingly given had been rejected.

I wonder how God feels when we, like Melody, reject His priceless gift. Sadly, many of us are more content to play with the packaging of the season than to accept the gift of salvation made possible through God's one and only son, Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Dear God, remind us that the brightly coloured packaging that the world has wrapped around this holy season is empty and without meaning. Help us to accept your gift, Jesus Christ, with grateful hearts. Amen.

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