God’s gift to us in Jesus comes in spite of what we are, rather than because of...

“DAD” said the child a few days before Christmas, “Don’t worry about that bike for Christmas. I’ve found one in the garage”.

If this has happened to you, you will know the sinking feeling inside as you realise that the surprise element has been lost. If you were ever the child uncovering the presents ahead of time you know that even though you believed these gifts would be yours soon that time was not yet.

A gift has to have three elements before it can be truly labelled a gift. It has to be given. This might seem obvious but presents that you have in your homes at the moment wrapped and labelled with the name of the intended recipient are not theirs until you choose to hand them over.

A gift has to be free. Something given in return for work done – or promised – is not a gift it is payment. Nor can a true gift be given with strings attached. We can’t give something and then demand it back because someone upsets us in the New Year.

Finally a gift has to be received. We would be puzzled by someone who described the number of their Christmas gifts and then pointed at the parcels still lying under the tree untouched and unopened. Likewise if we offered a present and it wasn’t taken we would be surprised to hear the intended recipient telling others of the present we had given them.

When Christians speak of the gift of Jesus at Christmas we can check out whether or not he fulfils the three qualities of a true gift. On the first two points believers would argue that he fulfils the requirements. He has been “given” and all that he offers is free. In fact the church would want to say that at the heart of the gospel is the idea that God’s gift to us in Jesus comes in spite of what we are, rather than because of.

As to receiving the gift, the choice is ours. I said yes to God’s gift over forty-five years ago. What about you?