I’ve been thinking about Christmas gifts a lot this week. Today is December 1st, and all the cues of our culture say that it’s time to start spending money to buy something special for the people I love. I just finished creating a spreadsheet of gift ideas for our family, complete with sizes and links for internet shopping. Now, I feel sick to my stomach.
On the face of it, I really like the tradition of giving. There are people in my life, whom I love more than I can ever say, and I am very drawn to the idea of finding unique tokens for each of them that fill in the space around my words. Sometimes these are precious items that remind me of the loved one. Other times, it is a piece of my personal reality that I am able to share with them, thus strengthening our connection through a book, song, or recipe.
As I ponder this, I realize that the Wise Men brought very special gifts to the baby King, Jesus at his birth. Of course we also know that the Holy Spirit has apportioned gifts to each of us for the edification of our community, so clearly gift giving is a tradition to be not quickly rejected.
Still, there is a stitch in my heart. Like a side ache preventing me from running further down this same path without discomfort. How can I, overwhelmingly blessed and provided for as I am, in good conscience create a list of things I want? Please understand, I’ve had no problem coming up with the list; but isn’t that really the problem!?
As a Christ follower, I believe that He meets every need of mine. I know that I lack nothing; but living my life in this secular age, I also know that the materialist monster hounds me tirelessly. He wants to occupy my thought life and to consume the hearts of my children. Why do I spend days, weeks, months each year on defenses, digging trench works for protection and then promptly open the way for this enemy to overtake any ground that I’ve gained?
I remember when shopping for Christmas presents was all about coming up with a clever idea for someone I loved. There was a hint of conspiracy and excitement as I hunted for the gift others wouldn’t know to give. That sort of shopping required me to be well acquainted with my loved one, such that I knew what would bring joy to their heart and a twinkle to their eyes. I lost that somewhere along the way. It seems our gift exchange tradition has been hollowed out to a mere echo of what had been. We are left with gift cards and internet links.
It occurs to me that when those wise men brought their gifts to Jesus, they didn’t know anything about his personality. They didn’t know his favorite color or which toys he already had. They knew that he was a king. They brought unto him the love offerings fitting to his position, because they knew WHO he was.
I want to experience Christmas like that again. I am resolved to abstain from listing gift ideas next year. If anyone should love me and know me, such that they are moved to generosity, then I am blessed and grateful. Otherwise, I have everything I need.
