The Gift that Keeps on Giving

The Gift that Keeps on Giving Isaiah 9:6-7, 11:1-2 By now, many of us have boxed away or at least started packing up the Christmas season decorations. Some start putting them away the day after Christmas! Each year I find myself hesitating to do so. I enjoy, as I’m sure many do, the lights and décor; the sights and sounds of Christmas; and the aroma (those Christmas cookies in the oven!). I truly enjoy the warmth that Christmas lends to an otherwise cold, colorless and dreary winter. Don’t get me wrong. I love waking to a winter wonderland, but the joy of Christmas just makes everything sparkle. Last weekend I started “de-decorating” our home. Pretty paper and bows put into totes. Garland and centerpieces packed away. Cheery, brightly colored ornaments tucked into their boxes. Cherished homemade decorations my son made for me in grade school (yes, I still put out my favorites) carefully placed in special boxes. Circling around the tree, I made my way to take the tree lights off, promising myself THIS would be the year I take my time putting them away so I wouldn’t have to untangle them next year. I stepped back this year and soaked up the beauty of the tree. Even bare, it was beautiful. Still fresh. I breathed in for the last time the evergreen scent I so love. I admit, I was quite sad this year to see it go. In an odd way I felt the tree beckon me to stay right there in the living room for the remainder of winter. I looked upward. One more decoration to remove — the star. Standing on tippy toes I reached up to grasp it. I stared at it in my hands for some time, thinking of the Bethlehem star and the guiding light it provided for the Magi. With a sigh, I carefully placed it atop the other decorations and closed the box. I looked around… ahhhh, yes, one last thing to pack away. This part I always do first when decorating and save as last when putting everything away. This task each year leaves a heaviness on my heart; packing it away for me is never as exciting as unpacking it. The Nativity scene captivates me every year with a new sense of childlike awe and wonder. Each year I remove the Nativity from the box in the same order — the stable first, then the figurines where I methodically try and recreate the story. Always, I save the Baby for last. All different pieces with one thing in common: all are looking at Jesus. The center of it all. When the season is over and it’s time to put the Nativity set away, I just reverse the order. Jesus is carefully wrapped and placed in the box last. The Nativity contains many stories. Many participants. Each uniquely created and placed by God at the story at the right place and time. For the same reason — to be present 2 at the birth of the newborn King. The Savior of the world. Angels we have heard on high! Once the angel proclaimed the exciting news of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds, the Bible tells us the angel was joined by an army of angels singing praises to God. Mary was visited by an angel and told she was to conceive of the Holy Spirit. An angel reassured Joseph it was acceptable for him to take the pregnant, unmarried Mary as his wife. As well, an angel instructed Joseph to flee with his family to Egypt. Shepherds — the first to receive the birth announcement. In that day and age shepherds were considered to be anti-social, lowly and disregarded by most. Perhaps unworthy of anything other than tending to their flocks. On this special night though, God felt them worthy to be the first to hear the Good News proclaimed by the angels. God knows why He chose. Livestock. My Nativity set has cattle and sheep. How do we really know they didn’t understand what was going on? God chose even the animals He wanted present. I have to wonder if at some point Mary and Joseph motioned for the animals to come closer. Did the animals present peer curiously into the manger? Maybe even nuzzle the newborn Jesus? Did Jesus smile at them? Did they smile back? Did Mary and Joseph nestle the newborn Jesus closer to sheep to keep Him warmer? Did the chosen animals feel a warmth rush through them as they watched the events unfold? We don’t know. What we do know is that nothing is impossible for God. Again, God knows why He chose. The Magi. Three wise men traveled from the Far East guided by a compass provided by God. The three followed the brilliant star to find Jesus, each bearing gifts fit for a King: Gold, a symbol of Jesus’ kingship on earth; Frankincense to symbolize His deity; and lastly, myrrh, often used in anointing and consecrating royalty and such. Used in purification rituals in ancient times. Myrrh was used as well for embalming. For this journey, myrrh would represent Jesus’ journey to the cross and to the grave. A gift for the grave would be given in honor of Jesus. Joseph. The man that risked his and his family’s reputation by staying by the pregnant Mary’s side. The man appointed by God as the earthly father to Jesus. Protector and provider for God’s only Son. Responsible 3 for discipline, guidance and teaching. Little did he know all Jesus would teach him! What a responsibility placed upon Joseph’s shoulders. I wonder how many sleepless nights he endured mulling it all over in his mind. The immaculate conception. The visitation and advice from angels. Would he be good enough to raise Jesus here on earth? Would he fail? How would he provide? How does one punish the Son of God should He misbehave? Should I spank Him or not? We may smile at some of this, but really, can you imagine how Joseph felt? Sadly, I feel Joseph gets overlooked in the Nativity. He was chosen though to be there. Joseph was loyal and obedient. God chose him and only God knows why. Mary. The young Jewish maiden in whom God showed great favor according to the Bible. I survey the nursery provided, and a few things come to mind. A stable. No sweet baby powder scent there. Animals. Shepherds. Not your ordinary baby shower. Then again, Jesus was no ordinary Baby. Mary would not be receiving a handmade cradle as a gift. The king of all Kings would be placed in a manger, which is translated to “feeding trough.” My Nativity Mary is smiling sweetly nonetheless. Her heart is full of love like any other mother holding and nursing their newborn. As she caressed His tiny hands and feet, she had no way of knowing then they would be pierced with nails. For her. That her heart would be pierced. She had no way of knowing when she kissed His forehead that a crown of thorns would be placed there. I’m sure she hummed and sang to her newborn. A song comes to mind for me. One of my favorites — “Mary, Did You Know…that your Baby Boy would walk on water, save our sons and daughters. Has come to make you new and would deliver you? Give sight to a blind man and calm the storm with His hand? Mary, did you know...that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod and that you kiss the face of God? The deaf will hear, the dumb will speak and the dead will rise again? Your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation and will one day rule the nations? He’s Heaven’s perfect Lamb…and the great I AM!” How could she know? But God chose and God knows. She was the perfect mother for the Son of God. One final figurine in our Nativity. The birth of Jesus was foretold by prophets hundreds of years before His birth. His name was chosen by God to be Jesus. His birth certificate, however, would have many names. As we read today in Isaiah, Jesus would be called (among many other titles) Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, 4 Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace. Jesus. God’s loving gift to the world with a gift tag that reads: TO: ALL, FROM: YOUR FATHER. A gift like no other. No fancy paper or bows. Wrapped in love and sent from above, for God Himself stepped off Hhis throne for a period in time and sent Himself here in humble fashion. To save us from our sin and from ourselves. A gift beautifully wrapped in the heartstrings of God’s love for us. No gift will be given to us here on earth with this magnitude of love. The gift of Jesus lies not under a tree but in the heart of all. All it takes to unwrap is belief, faith and trust in the gift. The cost of this gift was covered for all at Calvary. A hefty price was paid. Paid in full in selfless sacrifice. Jesus is the gift that keeps giving — for the blessing, joy and abundant increase when shared. The world will have us believe Christmas is over, that we should put “away” our “away in a manger!” Decorations may be packed away for a year. The Nativity set may be delicately wrapped and stored. Jesus, however, needs to be in plain view — or all to see and share. This year keep Jesus out of the box. In a world of “NEGA”-tivity, be the “NATIVITY!” Janet