SEASON OF GIVING NOT STUFFING

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life – John 3: 16

Christmas is meant to be the season of giving and sharing, not stuffing. Many people spend time and other resources to prepare, plan and shop for gifts to shower upon people who already have more stuff than they need. There are few things more irritating than a stuffy nose, but one of those more infuriating could be stuffy lives. The Christmas season often comes with so much junk that people will just stuff in a closet that is already stuffed too full of stuff. Is that the real essence of the season? Must giving only be material? Must giving only be to satisfy the appetites of the flesh? Must giving only be towards those who know us and will reciprocate? Are we not simply caught up in the routines of the seasons, rather than its reality?

The story in the second chapter of the Gospel of Matthew tells of the homage of the wise men to the One who was born King of the Jews. They also brought “stuff” – gold, incense, and myrrh. Is there any significance to these? Biblical commentaries often squeeze symbolic meanings in the specific gifts: that the gold was a gift for a king; the incense was for deity (as the sacrifices in the Old Testament were sprinkled with it); and the myrrh was a preparation His suffering. It is sufficient to simply say that these were costly and precious gifts, appropriate for a king, and that they were meant for Him.

God does not intend the Christmas season to be for the perpetuation of stuffy lives. Christmas is the season for sharing and giving, but the most important gifts we are to give may not be wrapped in fanciful and colourful foils. The most important gift is Worship, Praise and Thanksgiving. Other important gifts would be the gifts of our time, talents, services, and Spirit-inspired prayers. Would it out of place with the Spirit of the season to practice “pure religion” by visiting “the fatherless and widows in their affliction” (Jam.1:27) and to give to the poor, handicapped and less privileged in society who cannot give back to us. It is time to shed off your “stuff” and live in the light of eternity, knowing that “we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” (1 Tim.6:7).