Christmas – The gift that keeps on giving!
What a truly special time of year this is! Children are on school summer break, families go away for holidays, people get together with friends and family, and there is an exciting air of anticipation and celebration in the air. While not everyone celebrates Christmas as a significant religious event, most will enjoy the secular holiday it provides, along with many of the customs that have become part of our general culture around Christmas, i.e. gift giving, decorations, Santa Claus, giving thanks, and sharing special time with loved ones, etc. However, it is important that we do not lose sight of the reason for the season. Not only does focussing on the original story and purpose of Christmas mean a great deal to Christians, but it reminds us all of something important.
God realised that for much of history people had an inconsistent relationship of falling in or out of love for God. This was accompanied by corresponding behaviours of either faithful and loving worship and living; or of wayward, unrepentant and selfish living. Since the first special bond that God had made with his chosen people was not always adhered to and lived fruitfully or faithfully, God decided to make the connection a lot more intimate. So much so that God sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, to be born into the world as one of us. Jesus was to be the Saviour, the one to turn people back to God, to show them the power of God’s love, and how far God was willing to go in proving that unbreakable bond of love for humankind. Such was the depth and length of God’s love for us, that before the resurrection, he suffered the humiliating and painful death on a cross.
However, this story had to begin somewhere. This grand gesture of God becoming human was to take place in the most humble of circumstances, in a moment of displacement, and in a town that could not accommodate them. In the little town of Bethlehem, Jesus was born of a faithful and humble couple, in a space fit for only animals. Yet this is how our grand story of salvation began! In this moment, God gave the world the greatest gift - the gift of Himself. This is the gift of the Messiah who would change the world forever, and bring us new and everlasting life. It is a gift that we celebrate even to this day, over 2000 years later. This Christmas, as we give one another gifts, as signs of our love and gratitude, let us not forget the greatest gift of all. Let us not leave that gift unwrapped under our trees. Rather, let us remember, rejoice and celebrate in thanksgiving for the gift that keeps on giving – Jesus Christ. He is the reason for the season! Blessings, Fr. Jason Middleton (Parish Priest of the Noosa District Catholic Parish)