If you were not yet aware, the Christmas season is upon us. The bells are jingling all the way, and all Mariah Carey wants for Christmas is (still) whoever “you” is. Some of us have likely been asked what we would like to get for Christmas and if you’re a holiday lover, you’ve streamed all of your holiday favourites by now. So many things can come our way during this season. Wrapping up exams, squeezing in a shift or two before the holidays, trying to meet other deadlines before you have to do all the Christmas-y things. And although it’s an exciting time of year, it seems to become easier for us to forget that there’s a much greater purpose to gather and to celebrate than what we see emphasized in today’s culture. I read a passage the other day that really made me think about something so fundamental to remember in this season. Let’s reflect, shall we!
I heard it said once that some of the best gifts come in the smallest packages, and when I think about Jesus, that couldn’t be more true. In Luke 1, God sets the stage, and the fun begins as He prepares the way for Jesus to enter into this world. Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth, was much older and couldn’t conceive until God opened her womb and she and her husband conceived a son who would be known as John the Baptist. Not long after that, the Virgin Mary gets a visit from God’s right-hand angel, Gabriel, and is told that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and God’s power will overshadow her, and she will give birth to Jesus, the Son of God (Luke 1:35). This is why we’ve gotta stop asking Mary if she knew … she knew, y’all. SO! After some time, Mary went to visit her cousin Liz, and when Mary greeted her, John started to jump around, and immediately, Elizabeth recognized the Gift we so often overlook, regardless of the season. Elizabeth realized the blessing God had placed upon her and inside of her. Without even seeing Jesus (let that sit for a moment), she was able to recognize that He is the Lord. The Saviour of the world. The fruit of Mary’s womb was the sacrifice for our sins.
Elizabeth didn’t have commercialism and church responsibilities in her way, but there was a whole lot else going on in her life, but yet, she was still able to recognize God’s gift. I’m sure that baby Jesus was smaller than that game console or MacBook you’re hoping for, but God wrapped the giver of salvation up in something precious to behold. As I read through Luke 1:1-45, I couldn’t seem to get past how baby John and Elizabeth could recognize Jesus with so much ease.
They didn’t have to see Him, touch Him, or hear Him in order to recognize that Jesus is God’s gift to them and to the entire world.
As believers and non-believers, we can get distracted during the holidays. If we’re not adding something to our cart or lining up in a store, we’re probably trying to get our church Christmas productions together. But it’s crucial that we recognize that the true reason for the season is bigger than anything you can buy and better than anything you could’ve asked for.
For God so loved the world (us) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). I pray that, like Elizabeth, you would have a leap of excitement in your Spirit as you take the time to think about who God’s Gift is and why He would give it to you. Without the gift of Jesus, only God knows where we’d be. So, as we continue through the season of Advent, don’t forget to reflect and remember God’s gift to you. Unlike presents, you don’t have to work and save up enough to get it; you simply accept it, cherish it, and tell the world how great of a gift He is.
Merry Christmas!
