GIFT RECEIVED

 

DECEMBER 28, 2023

Ephesians 2:8


“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”

 

Over this Advent and Christmas season I have been doing some reflection on what the Bible is asking of me, or teaching me through the readings from Isaiah, Matthew and Luke. What I began to see was that these much-loved narratives in the Gospel’s invite us to be receivers. Now I know, that seems a bit contradictory to how we mostly respond to the Christmas message. The strong emphasis on giving and generosity is the focus.

Think of the last month in our congregation, we did a lot of giving, served free community meals, held a Community Food Drive for our local food bank, we transformed a bare tree in our entry into this colorful Mitten tree for children in our area, some of you baked cookies that we were able to share with over 40 families, and our GEMS club gave the gift of time and song to carol in our neighborhood, with all of that we still gave our financial offerings in support of our church. This is an amazing testimony to biblical motto of “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”  

What I have been wondering though, is if a greater emphasis ought to be placed on our being receivers. Reread the Matthew and Luke accounts and I believe you will notice, that the message of being receivers is boldly taught. The texts seem to go to great lengths to demonstrate that our power, talents, our capabilities, had little to do with what God was up to in Jesus’ birth.

 Commentator and Preacher Will Willimon puts it this way,

 “God wanted to do something so strange, so utterly beyond the bounds of imagination that God had to result to the strangest of means, a pregnant virgin and angels and stars in the sky to get it done.”

What I see in all the characters, all the manger people, is that all they could do was receive the amazing gift that God gave to them. It is the same for us, isn’t it? With Mary don't we respond with I am the Lord’s servant,” ... May it be to me as you have said"?

What I am trying to say is that the faith that results from such a story as the birth in Bethlehem is guidance in how to be a receiver. A recipient of what you may ask. Grace, the unearned, unmerited gift that God gives. What did the angels sing? “Glory to God in the highest and peace to those on whom his favor, (grace and goodwill) rests.

Generosity is important, we get that from God’s word and God’s action toward us in Jesus. But, receiving is equally important, and is biblical too. God comes to us and blesses us with a baby, and then invites us to see ourselves for who we really are, empty-handed recipients of a gracious God who, rather than leave us to our own devices, gave us a life transforming  gift.

2 Corinthians 9:15


“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”