A Gift to Celebrate
What makes Christmas? Could it be the lights? The gifts? Perhaps the wonderful songs we love to sing? Maybe the opportunities to gather together with friends and family? Or possibly it is the joys of giving and receiving gifts.
The wise old man said, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2)
We get so excited about the glitter and glow of Christmas time, that we get distracted to seek and look for the star of Jesus! When Christ was born, light shone brightly into a dark world. Christ brought a light that would shine to the furthest corners of the world! Although Jesus was born into a carpentry family, He brought and offered the greatest riches we could possibly know. He offered us the gift of eternal life!
One Christmas a man decided to try an experiment in gift giving. He went to the bank and withdrew 100 dollar bills. He then went to a busy street corner and started holding up money to people passing by. Most people sped up and walked by him fearing that he may have been a tad off kilter. Some simply laughed and mocked. Then two young delivery boys came by. They were tired, hungry and cold from a hard day’s work. They eagerly approached the man holding the dollar bills. After each boy took a few dollars, one of the boys asked, “now what do you want us to do to earn this money?” Not one thing the man replied. Just have a wonderful and blessed Christmas!
This is precisely the gift that God offers each of us. He longs for us to accept the gift of Jesus from His outstretched hands. We are not asked to earn and labour for this life transforming gift. We only need to accept and believe.
As we accept the gift of Jesus, our obligation is to show that the Christmas spirit is seen as an appropriate reflection of the greatest gift that anyone could hope for. Our responsibly is to celebrate God’s gift to us!
We celebrate because Christ came to save us from our sins. “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21). God sent Christ to save us from our sins. He did not send Christ for a select few, but for everyone! Further the bible teaches “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12).
Celebrating the true meaning of Christmas with our community members.
It is celebratory to understand that Christ came to provide light in an otherwise dark world! When we come to know Him and believe in Him we not only have light but we also have hope. Christ promises to be the light that will lead us through both the tough and good times of our lives.
Finally, Isaiah shares “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6). So we celebrate Jesus, as He is our Wonderful Counselor, Our Mighty God, Our Everlasting Father, and our Prince of Peace!
This Christmas season, delight in the glitter, lights, gifts, music, and gatherings with friends and family. However, may we also be blessed and encouraged to reflect deeply on the greatest gift anyone could receive. And as we do so, may we truly celebrate the gift of Jesus!
From your friends at Toronto City Mission, we wish you a peaceful, joyful, and celebratory Christmas!
Merry Christmas friends!
Elliott Shin, Acting Executive Director