Christmas: Presents vs PRESENCE
During the month of December, Monday Meditations is looking at the Christmas Season from unique perspectives.
The trees are up and the decorations have been placed. The lights are bright and the music is festive. Families are busy finalizing travel plans and menus for the holidays. It’s almost here… Christmas.
Over the past few weeks, the stores have been busier than ever as people search for that perfect gift for a friend, family member or co-worker. Some have a very specific thing in mind while others “let the stores talk to them” and purchase impulsively.
Whatever your shopping strategy, there’s one question that seems to pop up from time to time…
What can you give to someone who has everything?
I have wrestled with that question many times over the years. Buying gifts for others can be hard. There are so many things to consider:
What size are they?
Do they like this colour?
Do they already have it?
What if somebody else gets them the same thing?
What if it breaks?
What if it goes on sale after I buy it?
What can I give that will be cherished long after the holidays?
Despite our careful planning and thoughtfulness, we sometimes buy a gift and wrap it in “good intentions”, but it just isn’t received the way we had hoped it to be. We feel awkward and then offer to do the work to exchange or return it, and find something better. More appropriate.
For many people, Christmas is all about the PRESENTS. How many. How big. How elaborate and extravagant. Admit it; it’s exciting to receive something you never dreamed of. It can be equally exciting to be the giver of these gifts as well. Watching the reaction of surprise and delight from the recipient can bring us joy.
Now, you might be thinking this edition of Monday Meditations is all about the material aspect of the Christmas Season. Hold on for just a moment longer. Let’s shift reindeer-gears by asking this question…
What can you give to someone who has nothing?
Let your mind wander, just for a moment, and see God wrestling with the question of what gift to give us that would be of the highest value. I imagine Him to be full of creative ideas for gift-giving. After all, He is the “ultimate creator” of all things, right? He knows our desires, but does He take that into consideration? Carefully, He decides… “I will give them ME!”
Of all the things God could have chosen to give as PRESENTS, He chose to give us his PRESENCE.
Think about it; because of sin, we had lost everything. Eternity was no longer ours. Sin brought about death and created a separation between us and our Heavenly Father.
As a loving parent, God decides that, above all else, He would give us Himself as a gift to help restore our relationship with Him. He wrapped Himself in inexpensive, scratchy, dirty cloths and entered the world in the lowliest of places, a stable. Accepting His gift would also restore our place in eternity. What a great gift, right?
Let’s consider these verses as we ponder His gift of PRESENCE:
John 1:9 (NLT) says, “The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.”
He decided to give us the gift of greatest value.
John 1:10-11 (NLT) says, “He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.”
He gave us His gift but we (as a people) didn’t receive it well. We rejected Him.
It wasn’t until much later that we began to understand just how amazing His gift was.
James 1:17-18 (NLT) says, “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.”
At this time of year, as we give PRESENTS, let’s remember that the absolute best gift we have ever received was (and is) God’s PRESENCE.
It fits.
It’s perfect.
It’s the gift nobody else could give.
It’s the gift of highest value.
It was given out of purest love.
It restores our relationship with God.
It keeps on giving, for all eternity.
Last thought… as you spend time with loved one’s over the holidays, let your PRESENCE be an extension of HIS PRESENCE. May your presence be the “Christmas star” that leads others to experience the fullness of the best Christmas present ever… Emmanuel, God with us!
My Prayer:
My Father, I thank you for this timely message. I am so grateful for the gift you have given me. I confess there have been times when I have treated it poorly and have taken it for granted. This season, I pause to remember just how perfect your gift to me is. May your PRESENCE be with me every step every day. Thank you for Jesus. His example and for restoring me to one day experience your eternal presence. Amen.
PS: This is the final Monday Meditations for 2022. We will resume weekly editions starting again on January 2nd, 2023.
Merry Christmas! He is with us!
Blessings as Always!
Steve Shrout
President, Corpath Forums
Email: president@corpath.ca
"Pursuing Excellence in Business, Life and Spirit"
Special Note:
If you enjoyed today’s message, then share it with someone. Also, use this content and questions as a discussion guide in your next Forum Group meeting.
Attached to this is a printable PDF you can use to help with your meditation and reflection. I encourage you to print it, answer the questions and then keep it in a Corpath binder or folder for future reference and thought. You will receive a new PDF each week with each new Monday Meditation, and, over time, your binder will become a book representing your Corpath journey of BUSINESS thoughts, personal LIFE development, and SPIRITUAL growth.
