“The Christmas Gifts”

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold,
 I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Luke 2:10
By Rev. S.V. Nathan


I. Introduction:
“A moral Science teacher once instructed her students to go out and be good. One of the students went out after school hours and walked down the streets, distributing gifts to the poor and helping whoever needed help. The next day he told the teacher of his good deed. But the teacher was not impressed by his action.  She told him: “I asked you to be good not to do good”. People may do good without necessarily being good. For example, we offer gifts and other material goods to the poor and downtrodden mainly for publicity and not with genuine intention to help others. Goodness stems from good thoughts and intentions.” (Taken from Dr. G Francis Xavier: “The World’s Best Inspiring Stories for Successful Living”, page 152).  This story reminds us that something is lacking in our gifting culture during today’s Christmas. It is not those material gifts which are more important but our attitude and its eternal value must be exemplified.
   As Christmas is around the corner, we are preparing to celebrate this Christmas meaningfully.  Let us consider that angel’s message in Luke 2:10 - what they have to say about the Christmas gifts which can be given by us to our near and dear ones in this Christmas season.
I. The Sinner’s Problem (Luke 2:10a):   
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not:  -
       The first and the foremost emotion that was felt by a sinful man after the fall was “fear” (Gen 3:10).
So fear is the reason for the entire problem of mankind on this earth. That’s why the angel first addresses the basic problem of mankind - “fear”. The message, which the angel had to deliver to the shepherds, begins with: “Fear not, for we have nothing to say to you that needs be a terror to you; you need not fear your enemies, and should not fear your friends or future” (Matthew Henry). It is very aptly said by the angel to the shepherds: “Fear not”.
Hence, people are living with all sorts of fears in their lives. The secret to removing their fears can be the best gift. It is greatest opportunity for us to bring them to the saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior, which can save them from their eternal damnation and at same time, will provide them hope from fear.
Therefore, the world needs the same message from us during this Christmas season as a gift. The best gift that we can give to our friends and relatives this Christmas is the message of hope: “Fear not”. This has more lasting value than any material gifts. We should not hesitate to introduce them to eternal hope in Christ Jesus.


II. The Saviour’s Promise (Luke 2:10b):
“Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”
When Adam sinned, fear crept into him and caused him to lose the joy in God. The basic need for all mankind is joy and happiness in everyone’s life. That’s why the angel did not stop with “Fear not”, but went onto say, “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy”. The birth of Christ is good news to the shepherds and to the world at large. It shall bring “joy to all people” and not to the people of the Jews only. The knowledge of God was no longer to be confined to the Jews, but to be offered to the whole Gentile world.
The world may suggest many ways to find joy in life, but Christ is the only way for us to receive joy and happiness on this earth and eternally. It is only made possible by the birth of Christ which must take place in our lives in a personal way. It is necessary for us to bring this good tiding of our Saviour to our near and dear ones as a gift in this Christmas season.  Let this Christmas be a joyous Christmas in their lives with our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus.

Conclusion:
Christmas is a time of giving gifts. Tradition says: it began when the wise men brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  It is good to give gifts although it is not important to give material gifts just for the sake of giving. On the other hand, the intention must be with love and affection which we express when we lead friends and relatives to our Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRIST. This is a more valuable and eternal gift. Because, the very first Christmas has given us the best and greatest gift ever this world can give, that is our Saviour JESUS CHRIST.  Let this Christmas be a fearless and joyful Christmas for our family and friends by the giving and receiving of Christ as our personal Saviour.