It is the season of gifts. We are all rushing around trying to remember the important and influential people. There are a million reasons one will find those deserving of a gift. This is most likely family, children coming first, and the rest of the bosses, mail people, secretaries, teachers, the lineup is endless.

For myself, I recall when my children were young, and one of the greatest gifts I was given was from my four-year-old daughter. It was Christmas day, and under the tree there was a bundle wrapped in toilet paper, with my name in large and shaky script, MOM. We had finished the unwrapping ceremony of Christmas morning, which I may add, usually started about 5:30 in the early morning. Blurry-eyed parents awakened by joyous cries of surprise and delight. We were all now in the living room, with anticipation throbbing. All the presents had been opened, my four-year-old came and brought me the last gift of the morning in her little hands with a shining face. She handed me this small bundle. I was puzzled at first, wondering what she was so excited about. I unwrapped it and found a group of my socks from my drawer in the bedroom. At first, I had a difficult time reacting. The offering was unusual. She looked at me and said, “Mom, I did not have any money, but I wanted to give you a gift, so I knew you loved these socks.” Wow, I thought, yes, I do love these socks. The gift clarified the meaning of “It’s the thought that counts.”

We celebrate the ultimate gift in Christmas, God Himself. Yes, Jesus took our human form. Well, we think if it is God, there must be fanfare, trumpets, fireworks, marching bands, flags, all that we think makes an entryway for the King of Kings. But God seldom arrives in this kind of fanfare. The expectation was a warrior king coming to free the Jewish people from Roman bondage. A baby in a manger, even with a great and unusual star overhead, and in all places, Bethlehem, a small, unimportant dot on the face of Judea. The Messiah was disappointing to the Jews

This is how Christ, the son of God, entered human time. He comes to be like us in all things but sin. He comes to declare a path that will lead to eternal life. He comes to love each of us as individuals. He comes to show us that we can overcome our selfishness, and when we fail, He is there to forgive a sincere heart.

We say a prayer, “That by your Cross and Resurrection, you have set us free.” This is a profound statement that by his death (love of us personally) and His Resurrection (overcoming death with a promise of Eternity), our small and selfish beings can, by our free will, enter into paradise. This is something to meditate on. We are loved, no matter who we are or what we have done in our lives; we can seek forgiveness, amend our selfishness, and become holy citizens of heaven. This is not easy.

As we enter this holy season of Christmas, let us recall that new infant. A small baby dependent on his human parents, needing care and protection. This is how God comes to us. No banners, no armies, no trumpets. A child was born in a stable, amidst animals and straw. Hardly the beginning of a King.

This Christmas, make yourself a gift for baby Jesus. Give Him your love and grant Him a place in your heart and home. He came to be your gift, to bring each of us home to heaven. Blessings on you and your family in this Holy season.

For to us a child is born,
 to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
 Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
 Of the greatness of his government and peace
 there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
 and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
 with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
 will accomplish this.

(Isaiah 9:6-7)