CHRISTMAS: EMBARRASSED

John 1:1-5, 14-18 – “¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was with God in the beginning. ³Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴In him was life, and that life was the light of men. ⁵The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it…. ¹⁴The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.¹⁵John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’” ¹⁶From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. ¹⁷For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known.

            The Christmas story in Luke’s gospel is reported from a woman’s perspective. Mary was visited by an angel saying, “You are with child.”

            The Christmas story in Matthew’s gospel is reported from a man’s perspective. Joseph was visited by an angel saying, “You will name the child Jesus.

            From John’s gospel comes a sense of God’s perspective. “The Word became flesh.” God’s One and Only Son became the living testament of grace and truth.

            The Word of Christmas is God loves and gives. (John 3:16) What are you giving this Christmas?

Many people have at least one hard-to-shop-for person. I struggled knowing what to give my dad. He took care of all his possessions and rarely needed anything replaced. On top of this, his gifts to me were very much needed and generous.

            Do you become embarrassed when a person gives wonderful gifts compared to what you are able to give? It can be humbling and embarrassing at Christmas receiving such generosity and not being able to match it.

            If it is hard to shop for some people, imagine shopping for God?  He gave eternal life. What is an appropriate present for Him?  He gave His very best. What is a suitable gift in return? Consider the options!

Maybe give God money

            Money is not a bad gift. Money allows the recipient some flexibility. The receiver can purchase some needed items on behalf of the giver. My parents, when my wife and I no longer lived in Seattle, sent money at Christmas to buy presents for the kids. We liked the flexibility and had fun shopping, something we could rarely do with our own income.

            Jesus once commended a widow for her financial offering. Is money all God wants from you? What an easy gift!

            The Bible says He is not impressed with how much you earn or possess. You will never be happy trying to amaze God with generosity. The gift will fail to astound Him and resentment will fill your heart.

            Solomon, on the day the temple was dedicated, sacrificed as an offering 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. The people were impressed but God was not. In Psalms 50:12 the Lord declares, “The world is mine and the fullness thereof.”

            While pastoring in Minnesota the vast majority of townspeople were considered Roman Catholic, although many attended other churches. The whole community knew when the Catholic Church sent their annual “fair share” statement. The letter went to every person with a Roman Catholic background, not just the ones regularly attending Holy Redeemer Church. The sound of grumbling greatly increased around town. Something is not a gift, when it is demanded. Giving is also not a type of union dues, an obligation to gain benefits.

            Money should be given willingly, faithfully and regularly but is not much of a gift compared to what God gave.

Maybe give God talent

            There are many talented people in churches. Are personal skills supposed to be a gift to God?

            Who, if any, can impress God by their ability? Who has talent superior to His? Who can wow the Almighty with human capabilities? Some are creative but can it compare to His creation?

            Talent is nothing more than doing what is expected with God’s endowment to you. Some become easily offended when abilities are not noticed or no one gives a complement. Why? You are doing what you have been gifted to do.

            This does not suggest people should not be appreciated but, rather, they should not demand accolades. If a person does not use their talents, they deprive themselves and others of His blessing. You owe it to God to use your talents for Him. Something is not a gift when it is owed.

            Talent is needed and necessary but its usage is expected and cannot be considered a gift.

Maybe give God time

            Most people are very busy. Even giving a moment of time can seem demanding. For many the day begins before sun up and ends way into the night.

            Occasionally people attempt to barter with God by saying, “Lord, if you get me out of this mess I will go to church.” They try to trade their troubles for time.

            The Bible declares, however, that your every heartbeat and each breath are in His hands. The psalmist wrote, “My time is in Your hand.” (Psalms 35:25)

            Time must appear awfully insignificant to the One who always was and always will be. Like a speck of dust on a living room carpet is time compared to eternity. Your lifespan is not much when viewed from His perspective.

            Time devoted to God is good but it does not compare to Him sending the Eternal Word Incarnate.

Maybe give God intellect

            A classic television commercial said, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” Can the human brain outthink God? Unfortunately, many attempt to help God by thinking for Him, some even try to second-guess Him.

            Have you ever thought something would not get done correctly unless done your way? Trusting God includes knowing His plans always get accomplished, whether you understand them or not.

            Some act like they are God’s gift of wisdom. Job’s friends saw themselves as being smart and he sarcastically responded, “Doubtless you know everything and wisdom will die with you.” (Job 12:2)

            Only God knows everything perfectly. First Corinthians 3:19 states your thinking is foolish in comparison to His. The all-wise God is the only One with special insight.

            Wisdom is great but is an embarrassing gift in comparison to what He knows.

Maybe give God goodness

            This is the Season when people are supposedly evaluated as being naughty or nice by a jolly old fellow. You are considered okay when nice more than naughty, right? Is properly behaving all that is needed? Is goodness all God really wants? 

            The vast majority of people are law-abiding citizens, demonstrating appropriate conduct nearly all the time. Surely you do most of the Ten Commandments. Is eight out of ten good enough?

            Scriptures states doing what is right cannot be achieved by self-determination. “There is none righteous, no not one.” (Romans 3:10) “All our righteousness is as soiled rags.” (Isaiah 64:6) No matter how much you personally improve your life, you cannot accomplish personal purity.

            Being morally good is commendable but appears cheap in comparison to the richness of His gift.

What can you give God?

            There is only one acceptable gift: Give God your love and be thankful! This is what the Lord desires the most. Deuteronomy 10:12 states, “What does the Lord your God require from you, but to…love Him.” Loving God gives Him your most precious gift.

            When you love Him everything becomes His, the money, talent, time, intellect and goodness. When you give Him your love, you give Him your life.

            Love is the only appropriate gift compared to the gift of His Son. He gave His all, can you do any less?

            Give God your love! Only when He has your love will you not be embarrassed at Christmas.