Don't Forget the Giver

For most kids in America, Christmas time is all about the gift-giving experience - and understandably so.  Even as an adult I greatly enjoy receiving gifts.  There is excitement and anticipation as the paper is torn back and the gift comes into view.  And the joy of parents is many times greater as they watch a child open a gift they know that child will love. 

As Christian parents, we teach our children a couple of lessons to help keep the focus of the season in line.  First, we constantly remind them to say "thank you" to whoever gave the gift.  My wife's family has a wonderful tradition; each person actually gets up after every gift and gives a hug to the giver.  And even though our growing families make the gift exchange time a bit longer each year - it teaches our children to be grateful, and not to focus solely on the gift.  Second, we focus on Christ as the ultimate gift.  Our children must learn that the gift God gave us in Christ -  that brought redeeming grace to us His children - is the greatest gift that has ever, or will ever, be given.

Sadly, even Christians at times do not fully embrace how these two lessons fit together.  We forget to celebrate and give thanks to God the Father, who "so loved the world that he gave his only son..."  In Philippians 2:5-11, Paul penned what is often referred to as the "hymn of Christ."  It is a beautiful description of our salvation through Christ's humility and fits wonderfully with the season of Christmas.

"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:5-11 ESV)

The final phrase (which I bolded) tells us that God's ultimate gift to mankind - that of sending His eternal Son to be one of us - was given "to the glory of God the Father." Another passage phrases it "to the praise of his glorious grace" (Ephesians 1:6).  Yes, God the Father gave us Christ that we might enjoy the blessings of His glorious redemption; but even more so that His Name would be glorified. This season, let us enjoy the presents from our loved ones; but let us also look past them to the Ultimate Gift, and to the Giver "from Whom all blessings flow."  As our Lord taught us to pray, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name" (Matthew 6:9), let us hallow His name this season and thank Him for sending to us that Gift of gifts - our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Where's Baby Jesus

Being a Dad at Christmas time is awesome!  As with other special times of year, we can learn much from our children during this most special of seasons.  This year my family is participating in Advent as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ.  It has been a wonderful time of anticipation - especially as we have shared it with our daughter, 21-month-old MollyDru.  But what can a child so young learn about God's great gift? (Much less teach us?) As Rachel and I have enjoyed this season with her, we have tried to help her understand, even at the tender age of almost two, that Christmas is about Christ - and not just about us and Santa Claus. 

Thankfully, I believe we have succeeded.  But something we didn't expect has also happened. In her childlike and sincere way, our precious MollyDru has reminded us of wonders that we adults sometimes forget.  Reminder number one: When she had seen a Nativity scene, or when we have read Christmas books and watched Christmas programs with her, she always asks the same question: "Where's Baby Jesus?"  (I capitalize "Baby" because for MollyDru, that is part of His name.)  In her mind, as it should be in ours, the season is all about Baby Jesus.  It's a well-worn Christian cliché that "He is the reason for the season" - and we believe that to be true - but do we live and act like it?  MollyDru keeps asking, "Where's Baby Jesus?"  Is that childlike question just for children, or is it for all of us?

But our daughter has reminded us of much more.  Last week I opened MollyDru's "My First Bible," which has stories from all of scripture.  As we looked at the story of Joseph from the Bible's very first book, MollyDru quickly asked me again, "Where's Baby Jesus?"  I started to explain to her that this story was not about Jesus, but then it hit me.  It really was!  The Old Testament in so many ways points ahead to the One who was to come, to promises about that coming, and to what that coming would fulfill. The New Testament tells of His coming, the fulfillment of those promises, and guides us until He comes again.  MollyDru helped me remember that the entire biblical narrative is about her Baby Jesus.

I learned one more lesson from MollyDru - and this one may have had the most impact.  It came when I opened up a non-Christmas book that had nothing to do with Scripture.  MollyDru's quickly developing mind once again asked, "Where's Baby Jesus?"  But the story was not about Baby Jesus; it wasn't about the Bible; and so that question wasn't even appropriate. Right?  No - I realized that my initial reaction was wrong!  As we live our lives, little MollyDru's Baby Jesus and the Gospel he came to bring should affect every thing we do.  (Even those who reject His message will one day bow before Him.) When we spend time with our family, it should be about Baby Jesus.  When we go to work, it should be about Baby Jesus.  For me in ministry, I can easily begin to focus on what I am doing and not why I am doing it.  As I work each day for Mission of Hope Haiti (www.mohhaiti.org), I need to remember MollyDru's Baby Jesus and the Gospel transformation that is possible only because of God's great gift on that first Christmas long ago.

As you enjoy this Christmas season, I encourage you to keep Baby Jesus in all areas of your life.  More than capitalizing the "Christ" in CHRISTmas. More than boycotting places that sell Holiday trees. And even more than making an effort to be Christ-like this time of year.  Let's allow "Baby Jesus" - now gloriously raised from the dead and at the right hand of the Father - to so transform us that our "Christmas spirit" becomes a Christ-like spirit and a year-round life style!

Thank you, Lord, for Baby Jesus!