Family Tree : Matthew 1:1-17, Word and Flesh : John 1:1-14, Becoming Like Us : Philippians 2:5-11
Look who moved in
John 1:14 tells us that ‘the word became flesh and dwelt among us’ or as another version puts it ‘he moved into the neighbourhood’. Jesus’ birth, that first Christmas was world-changing, unprecedented and unexpected.
This moment in history where the word that spoke life into existence, became flesh like you and me was the greatest gift ever given. God gave us his presence in Jesus and he ate like us, cried like us, felt love and anger like us and he is the closest thing we have to knowing God.
Jesus’ birth was also something that had not happened before and won’t happen again. We have had many great kings and leaders, prophets and teachers filled with God’s spirit but never the Son of God here with us in this way. This gift had never been given before and it was given this once for each person, to bring hope for us all.
The gift was also unexpected in how it came to us. A baby in a stable, born to a young mother in questionable circumstances, in poverty, on the run from the authorities. When Paul wrote to the church in Philippi that Jesus had emptied himself and become a servant he was alluding to the fact that Jesus didn’t come like other leaders to look down on us. Instead Jesus came to be with us, at the bottom with normal, ordinary people and to bless each of us.
We give at Christmas because God gave the greatest gift at that first Christmas. The hope bringer who would change the world, would make the blind, see; the deaf, hear; and would release the captives.
He gave, so we give.
He gave his son.
So we give presents.
He gave hope, so we give socks.
That may seem a little harsh, socks are a useful present, but we so often miss the greatest gifts we have to give others at this time of year.
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Jesus came as a man, to set his tent up among us, to be in the neighbourhood alongside us. He gave us his presence. We can give others; friends, family, neighbours, strangers our presence. To spend time together, talking, laughing, enjoying life alongside others, being salt and light to them, giving hope to those who may have none.
When we give in this relational way it is unique and personal to those people. Time and energy go a long way to showing someone that they matter to you more than a box of roses or a bottle of wine ever will (unless the wine comes with an invitation to share it together and talk).
Finally, giving more costs more than money, especially when we give of ourselves and we give people hope. God’s gift in Jesus cost the cross, bringing hope for all people was a sacrifice beyond measure. The cost though is always worth it in the end. We often find the longer journeys offer the greater gifts than the short ones.
Further Reading
The Gutter : Where Life is Meant to be Lived – Craig Gross
Questions
Do you find choosing gifts for others an easy or difficult task?
How could you give the gift of hope to someone this Christmas?
How could you give relationally this Christmas? who could you spend time with? how could you bless someone who will be alone at this time?
Giving presents is easy – it just costs money! Giving more is much more costly. Do we give less because its simple and how do we challenge ourselves to not take the easy option?
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