Father Our Life Giver is what Christmas is about.
It’s that time of year – Christmas. The most wonderful time of the year, as they say. And why is it so wonderful? Well, for one reason, it’s the season when the spirit of giving is more prevalent.
Giving abounds in many forms at Christmas time. Gifts are given to family and friends, parties are given at offices and homes, cookies and goodies are baked and bestowed on many school teachers and neighbors, and the Salvation Army even puts out their red buckets and bell ringers in front of stores to collect offerings for the needy. Really, Christmas is about how Father gave.
How the Father Gives
Giving is one of God’s specialties. And how does the Father give? Liberally. Generously. Cheerfully. Endlessly. He never ceases to express His love through giving. He gives us forgiveness, kindness, opportunities, correction, guidance, second chances (and third, and fourth…), all because He loves us. Not because we deserve it, but because He IS love.
On that night in Bethlehem two thousand years ago, He gave His most precious, most valuable gift ever — His Son, Jesus. He gave Him to all of us that we may come to know the Father as one of His sons or daughters, not servants or slaves. “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (Jn.3:16) What an incredible gift!
The spirit of giving comes from the Father Himself, the Giver of life, and those of us who know Him have the same spirit within us. As the expression goes — like father, like son (or daughter). We are made to be givers just like our Dad.
A Reflection of Our Father
This Christmas season, let’s make a conscious effort to be givers. Not that we have to bake cookies and give them to all our neighbors, nor do we have to spend large amounts of money on every single person in our family. But let us simply look for those gifts that do not necessarily have any monetary value, but have life-giving value. How about distributing smiles out wherever you go? What about administering meaningful hugs to friends and family members (even the “not-so-nice” ones)? Even presenting a gentle voice and a patient demeanor to an overworked and underpaid cashier could bring a breath of life to them. And let us not forget prayers, cards, or phone calls to someone who has just lost a loved one or is in deep sorrow or loneliness.
The beauty of the Gospel is it’s simplicity – He gave to us that we might live. Such is the expression of the Father’s love. Now let us live, to give life to others.