Last Sunday, as usual, I was busy with the kids in our church. Since it was starting to be busy for the Christmas season and all the the schedule of activities are beginning to be crazy, I decided I need to warn the kids not to miss Christmas -- the real meaning of Christmas, which is the Birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ.
There would be a cantata after the Christmas party next Sunday for the Sunday School department which would mean lots of food preparation, gifts, games, to mention the least. I felt so burdened with all these "traditional" activities.
15 minutes before we ended our lesson, I ran to the car where I hid the Christmas cake we bought and brought it to the Junior Worship class. I lighted the blue candle before we sang "Happy Birthday, Jesus." Then I asked each of the kids "What is your gift to Jesus?" Here are their answers: my life, my love, my trust. I asked them, "What is that one thing you love so much that you can give to Jesus?" One 7- year- old boy thought for a while, "Aside from my life? I think I would give my puppy." That's one concrete answer I got, and yet, it is so real and inspiring.
We can easily say we want to give our life for Jesus, the one that gave His life for us. But can we give up something we really love for Jesus? What about a bad habit? What about our imaginations and some unholy thoughts? What about our selfish desires? What about our tithes and offerings which rightly belong to Him? What about one hour a week to volunteer to tutor a struggling student?
I struggle to give an answer to my own question, "What would I give to Jesus on His birthday?"
It is so ironic that what I can give honestly to the Holy God are my unholiness and sinfulness in exchange for His forgiveness and edification which lead to a fulfilling life of tremendous and exciting victory.
I was 8 years old when I gave my life to Christ in an old church which building still stands today.
"What would I give to Jesus on his birthday this year?" I think I would give him all my unfair and cruel judgments on people which I know little of what their hearts say.
May God help me. Happy Birthday, my Savior and my Lord.
1 comment:
Dear Saint Servant,
Every year we celebrate Christmas and yet, we tend to forget the true meaning of it all. We exchange gifts and be in festive moods but how many of us actually had spent a thought to have a quiet moment and express ourselves to Him? The question you raised on your article is quite hard to answer. I myself cannot think of something easily that I could quickly surrender to Him as my gift. We are all born selfish by nature but through His love we all learn and give up the things we don't really need.
Thanks for sharing!
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