David Boyd

The Christmas gift during this season of the year, we are constantly reminded about gifts – both for giving and receiving. 

The media are filled of advertisements to entice us to buy or suggest gifts for others in our lives or even for ourselves. In our household, we have all been asked, “What would you like for Christmas?” We are encouraged to help others less fortunate than ourselves by making contributions to the Salvation Army, the Empty Stocking Fund, and the motorcycle toy run. Parking lots at shopping malls and stores like Wal-Mart, Target, and Toys-R-Us are full of cars and trucks as their owners try to find that perfect gift for someone special in their lives. Even the Dollar Tree and Dollar General are full of shoppers looking for some inexpensive items to be used as “stocking stuffers.” 

In the Peanuts Christmas show, after being reminded by Linus of the true meaning of Christmas, Charlie Brown said, “I won’t let all this commercialism ruin my Christmas.” 

Why are we so enamored with gift-giving and receiving at this time of year? Does all this really fulfill the meaning of “Merry Christmas?” Is the giving of gifts based on the actions of the Wise Men at Jesus’ birth? Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, … And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:1-11) The real motivation for giving gifts is the gift God gave to the world – His Son. 

Why did the wise men worship the young child? Why should we worship Him? Because He was God’s g ift — His Son given to us. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: … The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7) The angel from Heaven announced to the shepherds, “Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” The child was named Jesus, because He would save His people from their sins. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8) God has a gift for you this Christmas. It is eternal life and salvation from sin. This gift is through His Son, Jesus Christ, by faith. 

I trust you will accept His gift by accepting His Son by faith. This is the greatest gift of all. And unlike the gifts under the tree, it lasts forever – everlasting life! 

David Boyd is a Deacon at Faith Baptist Church in Valdosta.