Whether it’s Christmastime or not, it just seems sensible that each one of us needs to think about what we would like to give Jesus the Christ, as a present for the fact that Christ exemplified not only how to live an extraordinary life, but also Christ willingly went to His sacrificial death on behalf of us. That type of sacrifice, in addition to the wisdom and love so demonstrated by Christ, would seem to more than imply that we ought to do something for Jesus as our own way of showing appreciation and respect.
Yet, how few really ever think about what they are going to give to Jesus, even at Christmastime, though people often have plenty to give in regards to material gifts of all sorts, one to another. While it certainly makes sense to be generous and kind to each other, it makes even more sense, that we should desire to start with our gift giving, by first properly taking care of our Messiah.
Perhaps people reason, that they attend church and provide charitable gifts to that church or other charitable organizations, and believe that then takes care of how they gave to Jesus. It isn’t so much that this is wrong thinking or doing, but it does reflect that if we won’t actually stop and really meditate upon Christ, that we have done so to our own disservice.
For those that profess to being Christian, then the very first thing that they really need to do, is to behave consistently in a Christian manner. Further to the point, those that are Christian, must believe that being an adherent to Christianity, is something that shouldn’t be hidden under a lampshade, but should be expressed in our thoughts, our actions, and our interactions. For either being a Christian means something of substance, or it basically is a tag that we conveniently put on, but don’t pay much personal mind to.
Indeed, some people will spend incredible amounts of time, coming up with beautiful and innovative gifts for those that they really care about and love --- which is the same sort of mindset that we need to take into consideration for Jesus. Perhaps that is a difficult bridge to cross, because Jesus appears to be so far away, but Christ can be as close as we will put our mind upon, if only we would silence our unbelief, and embrace our belief.
What we do or do not do on behalf of Jesus, is ours to own, and if we are unwilling to do much of anything, that probably is a fair reflection of our values and of our faith. There is a time, place, and a season for everything, of which those that are lukewarm, aren’t going to be able to exert themselves in a needful manner to accomplish what they should be about. We are meant to live our lives in the best way possible, of which, part of that living, must consist of doing our fair part to help make society a better place for our participation in it, so done by being a good neighbor one to another, for Christ’s sake, as the foundation of our gift to Him.