THE MOST IMPORTANT CHRISTMAS GIFT OF ALL!
Yes, I bet you have been very busy getting all of the things done on your Christmas “To Do” list. But is there one thing you might have left off this list?
What do I mean? Well, Christmas is Jesus’ birthday? What birthday gift are you going to give Jesus? It is his birthday celebration after all.
I think the best Christmas/birthday gift we can give to the Christ— the Divine Spark that is inside of us all—is ourselves. That is the gift that the Christ really wants.
But I can hear so many of us thinking, “But I am damaged goods. I come from the island of misfit toys.” (If you remember the Burl Ives’ Rudolf The Red Nose Reindeer animation classic, this was the land of broken toys— toy cars with square wheels and toy horses with three legs.)
Well, let me remind you of two Christmas stories where the central characters felt they were really damaged goods, and yet they turned out to be incredible gifts for God’s kingdom.
The first story is an opera: Amahl and the Night Visitors by Gian-Carlo Menotti. It was written and composed for television in the 1950s. I remember one Christmas watching it on our family’s old black-and-white TV set.
The opera tells the story of a young disabled boy named Amahl and his encounter with the Three Kings or Wise Men on their journey to visit the newborn Jesus. The opera is set in Bethlehem and begins with Amahl, who is known for telling tall tales, spotting a bright star in the night sky. His mother, who is struggling to care for Amahl and herself, becomes increasingly frustrated with his imagination and inability to stick to the truth.
Gian-Carlo Menotti
Soon, there is a knock at their door, and Amahl and his mother are visited by the Three Kings, who are seeking shelter for the night as they follow the star to find the newborn Christ child. The Kings explain that they are on a mission from a great and wondrous king to bring gifts to the prophesied child. Amahl and his mother offer their meager hospitality to the Kings, and in return, the Kings are moved by the family's need and offer them some of the treasures they carry.
During their stay, Amahl's mother attempts to steal some of the Kings' gold in order to provide for her son's future, but she is caught in the act. However, the Kings demonstrate forgiveness and generosity, understanding the mother's plight. Amahl also offers his own crutch as a gift to the newborn King, showing the depth of his selflessness.
As the Kings prepare to leave, Amahl's mother expresses her regret for her actions, and the Kings reassure her that her son's offering is the most precious of all. Suddenly, a miracle occurs as Amahl is healed of his disability, and he decides to accompany the Three Kings on their journey to see the newborn savior. The opera ends with Amahl and the Kings setting off together, leaving behind a sense of hope and wonder.
The second so-called “damaged goods” story is a children’s book called The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado. In this heartwarming story, a little lamb named Joshua feels left out and lonely because of his crippled leg. But as the story unfolds, Joshua discovers a special purpose in comforting and protecting the newborn baby Jesus.
Max Lucado
The innkeeper plays a significant role in the story as he directs visitors to the stable and eventually experiences a deep sense of peace and joy upon seeing the baby Jesus. The story beautifully captures the themes of love, acceptance, and the true meaning of Christmas.
Both Amahl and Joshua start out in their stories feeling “less than” everybody else. They feel like they don’t measure up, and that they are “not enough.” They often feel like failures.
And yet they both want to give the Christ a gift during the first Christmas. In both cases the best gifts turn out to be themselves.
I suggest that we follow the same course of action. What might this look like in our hectic, high-tech modern world? It might look like seeking “first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33). It might look like developing a real discipline of prayer and meditation. It might look like serving our egos less and listening to radio station WGOD more. It might be “doing the next right thing” more.
It might be studying spiritual truth more. It might look like more love and service. It might result in being quieter more often so that we can hear that “still, small voice.”
The irony is that when we give the greatest gift to God— which is ourselves— we are incredibly rewarded. The Psalmist says, “Delight in the Lord and you will have the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). I have seen this to be true time and time again.
When the apostle Paul writes about the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22–23), the first three gifts that he lists are “love, joy, and peace.” (And the word “peace” in Hebrew – – shalom – – also means wholeness.) These fruits of the Spirit are ours when we give our gift to the Christ.
So Merry Christmas, and don’t forget to give this birthday present. You really are the most wonderful gift!
