Christmas Presents
by Skip Moen
"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?" Isaiah 58:6 (NIV)
Injustice - If Christmas is the celebration of the birth of God's Son, why aren't we giving Him the presents? This must be the only birthday party in the world where the guests treat themselves to the gifts. Why do we do that?
The answer is obvious. The gifts that most please our birthday boy cannot be purchased at the mall. They can't be wrapped in glittering paper. They can't be paid for with Mastercard. If you want to give Jesus the gift that He most desires, it will cost you much more than money. So we settle for substitutes and in the process, we insult the Savior.
God tells us what matters to Him and to His Son. Jesus fully endorses the recommended gift list (read Luke 4:18-19. You will hear something familiar). Isaiah's prophetic voice announces the true gifts for this party. But when we look at the Hebrew word, the real impact is even scarier.
Resha does mean violations of the civil law (injustice). But it is first and foremost a word about wickedness. It is about evil actions perpetrated on others. It is exactly the opposite of the character of God. If we are going to loose these chains, we will need to destroy every action that brings harm to another.
Did you think that loosening the chains of oppression only happened in the ghettos and the war zones? No, says, Jesus. When you pass the wrapped box to your child, will she feel the chains of fear of failure being broken? When your spouse opens the package, will she find inside a heart of gratitude and sacrifice for her? Will your gifts be wrapped in forgiveness? Will the broken ribbons be reminders of untied lives? Will you give the gift that removes evil from the lives of all who open it?
What would your Christmas be like if you gave only the gifts on God's list? Do you think that instead of a tree we might see a cross?
You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/12/24/sm_presents/
December 24th, 2009 at 9:23 am
this thought of the day is too harsh..... yes, there are many people who mistake the meaning of Christmas and make it about things, and not about Jesus....
But the gifts talked about here are gifts we are to be giving each other and our children every day of our lives, forgiveness, freedom from strongholds... We do this by submitting to God and teaching our children the freedom found in a life devoted to Christ. Exchanging a gift or two on Jesus's birthday does not equate to denying...
December 24th, 2009 at 10:13 am
We should always have forgiveness ans love and gratitude every day. That is what I do. But also during this Holiday Season we should think of others so this year instead of us all getting so many gifts we di not really need. I have said we should help the homeless so that is what my family and I are doing. You see I belong to a church where that is one thing that we daily is help the homeless with food and a place where they feel safe. Makes me feel good knowing that I am doign what Jesus would...
December 25th, 2009 at 10:51 am
A thoughtful devotional.
Thanks for your amazing devotionals. All are analytical and insightful.
Wiosh you a blessed and a merry Christmas.
January 5th, 2010 at 8:03 am
Thank you for your beautiful choice of the scripture. This is my most favorite sermon, and it is very appropriate in a country like India, where the people were caught by 'KARMA'. Regards.