Receiving Christmas Gifts
Why do we receive gifts at Christmas? As part of the nativity story, which we find in the Scriptures, we read of the Magi coming to find the Messiah, searching for him and coming to the town of Bethlehem. Now, it may have been up to two years after Jesus’ actual birth however, but when you understand how the Gospel writers thought you can see that the Magis coming is intentionally part of the whole of the introduction of the Messiah into the history of Salvation in the nativity story.
This means that, timing is not the issue here, but rather, the occurrence is the important point of the account. The Magi came and they presented their gifts to Jesus as acknowledging his place as our Savior. Matt: 2:1-12
Some may wonder “if gifts were given to Jesus, then why do we receive gifts on Christmas?”. That is a very good question. It may be that what is truly occurring is far more profound than we may first understand.
In Jesus, God has come to us as one of us for us. He has, through the incarnation joined us to himself and he to us having “become flesh”. Jhn: 1:14
As being one of us, Jesus has eternal love for all of us and wants to reach out and share all that is his with us, including the gifts which he received from the Magi. Christmas is not just about us receiving gifts from one another but rather we receiving gifts from Jesus being given through those around us and but in reality, it all comes from God. Jam: 1:17
Jesus is working though each of us to bless one another through the sharing of what is his to us all in the Christmas Season.
This is why we receive gifts at Christmas, we are sharing in Jesus’ divine love for us and in all that is his; so, we see, that it is our Lord Jesus Christ who is truly giving each and all of us our gifts at Christmas.
Todd Crouch is Currently the Pastor of the Topinabee Community Church, in Topinabee, MI. He Was the Long Time Host of The Fountain of Life Broadcast, which was aired on RKP Radio in Washington, PA and streamed around the world. Todd studied Theology and Pastoral Ministry at Grace Communion Seminary. He is also a student of Church History, the America Civil War and Scottish History. He and his wife love to travel and walk the beach. They live in the Straits Area of Michigan. Visit Todd’s Website for more articles.
Image by DEEPAI
Todd, enjoyed your devotional this morning. Thank you, and may the Lord’s blessings be upon you and your congregation in this season of celebrating the birth of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Thank you Dennis, it is my prayer for you, your ministry and family that our mutual Lord Jesus Christ bless now and always….Have a Christ Filled Christmas…