Giving a Gift to Someone Who Has Everything

by Grant Gaines

How vividly do you remember September 11^th, 2001? Do you remember the patriotic emotions that filled the heart of every American in the ensuing months? For those who lived through the somber moments of September 11^th, that date will be forever etched into their minds. But if you were to ask a kid who was born after or too young to remember that infamous day, September 11^th doesn’t quite carry the same meaning because they know the history, not the passion of that day.

In a similar fashion, the significance of Christmas has waned over the years. The focus has been shifted away from Jesus and onto Santa Clause. Our attention gravitates more towards what presents people can give us rather than the Present (Jesus) that God gave us. Ultimately, our attention has shifted away from worship of God and onto worship of stuff.

It’s interesting to study how the people of the Bible reacted when they heard Jesus was born. When Mary was told that she would give birth to Jesus, she rejoiced (Luke 1:46-55). When the shepherds were told that Jesus had been born, they glorified and praised God (Luke 2:20). When the wise men saw Jesus, they, “…worshiped Him…[and] opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh” (Matthew 2:10-11, NIV).

Is that how you celebrate Christmas, by worshipping God? Or do you, like me, far too often find yourself more excited to see what’s wrapped up under the Christmas tree than to delight in the knowledge that, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV)? Rather than worshipping God for His gift – Jesus – I’m busy idolizing the new gadget I just received. Does anyone else share in this sentiment?

If you do, we can take comfort in the fact that the cure for an unfocused heart is worship, the very thing we are called to do. In Ephesians 1:12 (NIV), we are told that we have been chosen by God in order that we, “…might be for the praise of His glory.” We were created and saved to worship Him.

And worshipping God does not limit us to only singing Him songs; we can also worship God with our actions. Romans 12:1 (NIV, italics mine) tells us, “…in view of God’s mercy, to offer [our] bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is [our] spiritual act of worship.” And through our acts of service we are not only worshipping God, but we are also mimicking Jesus, who, “…did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45, NIV).

But the problem with service is that we are often too busy looking for the “big” opportunity to serve rather than acting on the daily service activities that present themselves to us. We volunteer to help at the Race for the Cure, to help at the annual church picnic, or to donate blood at The Red Cross’s annual blood drive, but we overlook the seemingly small opportunities to serve the ones we love in small ways.

In Matthew 25:40 (NIV), Jesus tells us He delights even in our small acts of service when He tells us, “…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.” Paul later sums up Jesus’s words in 2 Corinthians 9:12 (NIV) which says, “This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.” You see, when we serve those around us, no matter how small the act may be, we are also serving God, which according to Romans 12:1 is worship! How cool is that!

In view of all God has given us, namely His Son Jesus, why not make this Christmas all about worshipping Him? Is there a full trash can? Take the initiative to take it out to the street before being asked to do so. Did someone spill some apple cider? Be the first to grab a paper towel to help them clean up the mess. Are there dirty dishes in the sink? Don’t wait for someone else to clean them, you do it. Are there…,I think you get the point.

Take every opportunity that presents itself to serve. And just as Colossians 3:23 (NIV) says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men…” This Christmas, may our acts of service and worship be our Christmas gift to God.

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