The Greatest Gift
Have you ever wanted a specific gift growing up? I have and I remember when I was little that we used to receive these catalogues in the mail. As a child my part was to go through the catalogue and mark what I wanted. Did I receive much of what I asked for? No, but was what I received as gifts sufficient? You had better believe that they were.
You see, one of the problems with the world today is what many call a world view. It’s how we see the world and for many how they see the world has been conditioned by a great many things in their lives: previous experiences, the opinions of others, and what’s popular in culture to just name a few. So, to say that “we really want something” carries a lot of moral weight that can be determined with a few easy questions such as “why do you want this?” or “how will you use it?” These questions attempt to seek out the reasoning that we have for the gift in the first place. Yet, if we were honest with ourselves, we’d have to say that we, just like our kids, want something just because we want it with no practical reason behind it whatsoever. If you don’t believe me then just look at how retailers work at Christmas because they go out of their way to make you see things in their stores in the hope that you will see those items and want them just because they are there and they have a good price.
So, what does this all really mean? Well, considering a secularized worldview that is absent of a religious influence what it means in the end is the answer to the question of “was the gift really worth it?” What did that gift do for you? Yes, it makes you happy in the short term but ultimately when the newness fades, we are drawn away to want other things, and the cycle just continues. However, in a Christian worldview the concept of a gift takes on a different meaning, especially as it relates to Jesus. Yes, many don’t go about seeking Him out like they once used to. In fact, if you go back to what I said earlier about our previous experiences, the opinions of others, and what is popular in culture right now as hallmarks of your decision making what I would say is that those things, devoid of a Christian worldview, leave little if any room for Jesus. So, we really don’t go asking for him on our own anymore as a people do we? Not really.
Now here is the point that I am trying to make in this blog and it’s this. We may not realize that we “want” or “need” Jesus, but when he shows up, we soon realize that he is the greatest gift that we could have ever received. And here is the funny part, that’s what Christmas is all about in the first place. It’s not about candy canes, Christmas trees, family get togethers, Christmas shopping, exchanging gifts, etc. While all those things are well and good, if they are empty of a Christian worldview then the greater meaning behind them is lost. For you see, Christmas is not about commercialism or all the “stuff” that is put out there in the world today to detract us from the real meaning of Christmas. I mean who ever heard of just saying “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” because the word Christmas has “Christ” in it and that might offend some. That’s ridiculous, yet that is the world we live in. Instead, Christmas is about God who loved his creation so much that he sent his only begotten son into the world to die for the world and that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life. That “Son” came as a babe in a manger born to a virgin and who would one day stand up and say,
“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:37-38)
So here is the question, does your heart long for something more this Christmas? Something that can fill that hole that we all know is there. Once all the glitter and glam are gone do you still feel emptiness? Once the holly and jolly are gone and life gets back to normal do you still long for hope? Does the newness wear off in life once the gifts are opened and you are left wanting more? Here in these verses, I just referenced Jesus provides the answer using a common thing we all experience daily, but he gives it spiritual significance. He says, “if anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” Are you thirsty, we all are at one time or another; we are thirsty for something more. And Jesus says, “let him come to me and drink.” There’s the invitation and here is the spiritual meaning. “Whoever” Jesus says, “believes in me, as the Scriptures has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” The Bible always points to Jesus and what the Bible says is that if you believe, that if you repent of your sins and turn to Christ believing that he is who he says he is and that he can fix this hole in your heart then guess what? Out of what was once empty and desolate there will now flow a river. Not a stream or a little trickle of water, but a river. And not just a river of any old water but a river of living water. There is a difference because something that is dead cannot produce life, only Jesus can do that and only with Jesus in your heart can your heart finally be mended and life be found there. This life then will be so overwhelming that it will now flow outward so that others can see.
So back to my earlier question? Have you ever really wanted something for Christmas and yet you received something different? And did that still make you happy? You may not be asking for Jesus this Christmas, but if you let him into your heart, he promises that “this gift” will be the greatest gift that you could ever receive and that it will be more than sufficient; it will be life-altering.
And it all began with a small babe born to virgin and who was laid in a manger in Bethlehem.
Merry Christmas!
