Gifts—“I asked for it; I oughta get it."

  
    When our children were younger and our finances were tight, Patricia and I agreed to buy them three Christmas gifts: a book, clothing, and a toy/game. Although they were disappointed at times because they did not get the “gift” they wanted, they were generally happy and learned to handle those times. On the other hand, we noticed that birthdays (when they received all the gifts) produced some pretty stinky little attitudes. More was not necessarily better. 

Matthew 7:9-10
“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?”

    This verse shows that a good father will not give a bad thing if a good one is asked for; but it doesn’t promise that he will give exactly what is asked for.

    John Piper gives this illustration: “But what if we ask for something that is bad for us? My little son Benjamin once asked for a cracker, and when I opened the box, they were moldy. I told him that they had fuzz on them. He wasn’t sure what I was talking about and said, “I’ll eat the fuzz.” But I didn’t give them to him. He got some other treat that day. Maybe not what he preferred. But it was good for him. He asked. I gave. But not the exact request. I love him too much for that.”

    The point is that our children are not mature enough to really know what is good for them. The popular toys are not always the best. Did Barbie ever model realistic womanhood? Godly womanhood? Wholesome womanhood?

    Ryan and Elita Friesen shared with us that when their four-year-old son began to ask for all the gifts that he had seen, or item after item that he saw in the store, they knew that they had to do something. This is what they did. Every time he asked for something, they told him that he would have to give away one of the toys that he already had. At four, he began to change his tune and temper his words so that he no longer asked for things. Instead of saying, “Dad, I want that,” he began to say, “Dad, look at that!”

    Television and advertising plant seeds of need and greed in all of us. We begin to think as if we simply cannot get along without a certain phone, a particular toy, or the newest fashion. As impressionable as children are, it is no wonder that they succumb to the pressures of professional advertisers. Then the problem really becomes worse when we as parents allow ourselves to be shaped by the ads working through our kids. We give away what we know is best and just give our kids what they ask for. I think a little parent rebellion along this line might be good for our kids, our families, and our society.

    Perhaps the best gift we could give our children is to teach them how to give.

Acts 20:35 
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said:
 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

    Turning our attention from ourselves to others is a big part of maturing and a basic aspect of love.

    This year, in addition to giving presents to one another, we are all chipping in some money and a pitch for our favorite cause. After discussing the worthy charities, we will attempt to arrive at a consensus on which one is the most worthy (or needy) and award our donations to that one.

    Phil Tuttle, from Walk Thru the Bible, tells how his dad used to pick a needy family and involve the kids in a secret mission. They would scope out their schedule, deliver gifts to their porch, ring the doorbell, and run, diving into the car, squealing tires to make an exciting “get-away” just as the people opened the door. What a way to make it fun.

    Christmas is a great time to turn our children “toward others.” Give some thought and prayer to how your family can be a blessing to someone else this Christmas. “Glory to God in the highest and on earth . . . good will toward men.” Involve your children in the process, and you will reap great dividends.

                                                                                                                        So will they.

SPIRIT TRAINING: Unwrapping the Christmas Gift

Can you think of any more delightful moments in a child’s life than Christmas? Decorations and trees and lights. Special foods. Gathering of families. The anticipation of Christmas morning. The joyful sounds of laughter, the irrepressible squeals of delight. Sparkling eyes. Bouncing excitement. What is it about Christmas that causes this unmatched display of happiness?

Gifts. No, not just gifts. Christmas gifts!

Christmas gifts are mysteries—wrapped up mysteries. Those mysteries often are placed under a tree where they tantalize the imaginations of those who hope to open them on Christmas morn. The giving and receiving of gifts is enhanced by this mysterious element of seeing but not knowing.

I remember, when I thought no one was looking, I would pick up presents and shake them, listening for a clue as to what might be inside. I was irresistibly drawn to the tree and to its papered mysteries. When the morning of unveiling came, the electricity in the atmosphere was almost unbearable. It was the morning when the many mysteries were opened for all to see. Why did this unveiling of wrapped mysteries capture my heart and soul so powerfully?

It reflects God’s kind of giving. And the excitement is a godly excitement.

Yet it seems that the excitement is short-lived and, in some ways, disappointing. The reality is never quite as wonderful as we had hoped. The toys break, the batteries die, our interest wanes, and each Christmas becomes passé; and we toss it away like so much wrapping paper. Then the next year, we do it all again.

Perhaps the Christmas holiday is a “wrapping” of sorts that hides a mysterious gift. Perhaps it is that deep mystery that creates the excitement that all of us experience, even as adults. Perhaps we need to open this Christmas Gift and discover with our families this mystery that is Jesus.

Jesus is God’s eternal plan. He is the Lamb that was slain before the foundation of the world. He is God’s intervention in time; and he came for a broken humanity to bring life and newness. He is the One who will unroll the heavens like a curtain and reveal himself fully at the end of time.

He is the mystery beneath the wrappings of our holiday. Perhaps all of us need to be more intentional about unwrapping Jesus when we are with our families. I suggest the following verse as a focus for us this Christmas.

Colossians 2:2-3 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

How do we unwrap Jesus for our families at Christmas? We slow down and stop for him. Simple and basic things are mature things; allow them to work in your family. Taking the time to extract the gift of Jesus from the trappings of our modern holiday will yield a deeper satisfaction in all of us. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Read parts of the story: Luke 1-2 and Matthew 1:18-2:23.

2. Sing a carol, or sing many carols.

3. Dad, lead the family in prayer, praying that each one will know the reality of Jesus.

4. Do something as a family outside the home: sing carols to your neighbors, feed the hungry, take a Christmas meal to someone, share your laughter by inviting someone to your home.

5. Join other believers in a worshipful gathering.

After all, what is it that we want to give our kids at Christmas? What do we really want them to discover, to unwrap, and to carry with them? Is it not Jesus? All the other gifts point to him, because he is the Gift that does not disappoint. His joy is not short-lived. And when we enter into his reality, we will never stop being filled with wonder. He is what the “Christ morning” is all about. Let’s wake up to him.