Found Truths | What Are We Celebrating

Article by Reverend RB Moore

As we move closer to Christmas, we often celebrate the season by giving material gifts to those we love. But what exactly are we celebrating? With this question guiding our thoughts, let’s look more closely at the spiritual gifts we celebrate during this season of the year.
First, we rejoice over the gift of Christ, who reveals the true nature of God. Isaiah 9:6 reads, “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
We celebrate God coming to us in swaddling clothes, because hopefully, a babe in a manger will cause our false impressions about God to start to vanish. For you see, God’s not a harsh taskmaster. Rather, God’s nature includes humility and vulnerability, as well as, mercy, forgiveness, love, grace, compassion, and many other positive attributes. We rejoice, for in Christ we see a true revelation of God’s identity.
Also, during the season of holy days we celebrate the spiritual gift of giving. Matthew 2:10-11 touches on this theme of gift giving. “On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
Speaking of giving, once a husband went to buy a Christmas present for his wife at the Neiman-Mark Up store in Dallas. He went to the perfume counter and asked the salesclerk if she had something nice, which he could buy for his wife. She showed him a bottle of “Elegance,” for $200 an ounce. But he just shook his head.
She offered him a bottle of “Leave Him Wondering,” at $150 an ounce. But the husband just shook his head again, “No.” She then showed him a bottle of “Smells Like Heaven,” for $100 an ounce. The husband looked at her and asked, “Can you just show me something real cheap?” In response, the clerk handed him a mirror!! May we not be like the cheap husband. Rather, when it comes to giving, may we be generous to a fault.
In addition to the above, during the Advent, Hanukkah, Christmas season, we celebrate the gift of God’s love which motivates us to love others. We note in 1 John 4:19, “We love because God first loved us.” As we keep on receiving the love of God in Christ, we are empowered to love others.
The story is told about the businessman who was accidentally locked inside a walk-in safe at his place of work late on Christmas Eve. He realized everyone else had already left and it would be 36 hours before an employee came to open the vault. During that time, he was cold, hungry and thirsty. But what made him most uncomfortable were his memories of recent Christmas celebrations, because there were none. He always refused to gather with his employees at Christmas. He stayed away from his brother’s family, because his niece and nephew were too noisy. Christmas for him was just home alone.
Finally, the day after Christmas an employee arrived and opened the door to the vault, without looking inside. The businessman quietly walked out and made his way home. After reflecting on his ordeal, the man posted a sign by the door of the safe which read:
“To love people, to be needed somewhere, that is the purpose of life. That is the secret of happiness.”
This businessman may be on to something. For instance, to paraphrase 1 John 4:19, “Since we are loved by God, we are energized to love people.” This means, consistently receiving the gift of love from our Creator, which was magnified in Christ, will create within us the capacity to love others! What a gift to celebrate!
In keeping with the businessman’s sign, as we love people, we fulfill the need to belong somewhere. Loving people leads us to discover a purpose for our lives. Also, as we love people we uncover a secret to happiness. No doubt, those are spiritual gifts worth celebrating during this season of the year! Thanks be to God. Amen!