Christmas Presents
There is no doubt that men and women see the practicalities of life differently. One of my friends sent me this text on Christmas day, but as my mother would have said “many a true word is spoken in jest”:
Q: What would have happened if it had been three wise women instead of three wise men? A: They would have asked directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, brought practical gifts and there would be peace on Earth!
I have often wondered what Mary did with those famous gifts on the flight into Egypt; they would not have been any practical use to a fugitive with a tiny baby. They would have been cumbersome to carry around, but did she keep them and were they still in a corner of the attic at the time of the crucifixion?
She may have used the frankincense and myrrh as very extravagant baby lotion, but it is more likely she would have traded them for money to pay for food and clothes for her growing boy. What about the gold, was it in the form of an ingot or a chest of coins?
In either case she would probably have been seen as an easy target for a mugger or suspected of theft or, even worse, of earning the money by immoral means. How else was someone of her social standing likely to have come by such riches, she who was unmarried when she had her child and had to beg for the most basic lodgings in which to give birth. She may have been of the house and lineage of David but she was still just a tradesman’s fiancée.
At the risk of sounding even more of a Scrooge than ever, I was very lucky this year; I nearly managed to receive no Christmas presents, I have been working on it for years! I am not as ungrateful as I sound but distant cousins or colleagues often feel they must give something because it is expected of them, it is generally something for which I have no liking or use as they do not know me well enough and the money would have been better given to Tubakunde. (Incidentally, the person who invented the Secret Santa needs shooting.)
One verse of scripture my mother was always citing was Acts 20: 35, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” and in truth I enjoy it more. I like to take time and think of the person in more detail than I do normally, even if I see them every day, to consider what would be suitable and pleasing to them. (I find many people buy what they would like – Mark take note – rather than what the recipient would prefer.)
Choosing gifts brings friends and family closer and reminds me of their importance in my life. This year my brother and I made a “no presents” pact but we had a really lovely evening with his family instead. We do not often get time all together now that the children are adults with their own lives.
Our Heavenly Father gave us one huge gift, His Son, who then gave His blood that we might have eternal life. God does not ask for presents in return, He only wants our love and our company. He likes us to talk to Him as we go about our daily lives, in the same way we chat to our spouses or colleagues but He also wants us to spend time concentrating on Him and listening to Him. Why not make one of your New Year Resolutions to attend the midweek meetings regularly and do just that?
