Yes, But What Are His Children Giving?

I was inspired this morning by the commitment of others, while reading this. 

Basically, it's a priorities wake-up call as the giving [to ourselves] season begins.  After such a horrifying reminder through the death of a Wal-Mart worker on Black Friday (which is odiously named as it is), we consumerist Americans really need a punch in the gut if we cannot see that our culture is making itself sick unto death with its hedonistic and self-centered gotta-have-it-now living.  And, let the bruising begin with my own spiritual brothers and sisters--that's exactly what it takes.  

Do we expect more from the lost than wretched and poisonous sin, when we ourselves are dead in our trespasses save God?  As Christians, we should be redeeming the season, if not the entire culture, with true giving, giving which mirrors the gift of grace through Jesus Christ, a gift of infinite value which God, our loving and holy heavenly father, did not withhold from even us, but instead gave this gift freely so that all might live through Him.  But, this gift required sacrifice, a dig-down-deep and immeasurable sacrifice that we cannot even fathom or return.  God sacrificed his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and that Jesus the Christ, who was God incarnate, sacrificed his own will for the glorious will of His Father.  This gift was so very awesome that all and everything which we might sadly think we could offer in return is measly rubbish and an affront to the Giver.  

God didn't and doesn't ask for anything in return.  It is a gift, a true and selfless gift, which, although given with such a cost, was the reward itself.  It's all about Him.

So, how can we share this greatest-gift-ever with others?

Does my or your giving require sacrifice?

I'm not talking about giving up a venti cappuccino for a tall, either.

Or do I--and you--buy into the simple feeding of the flesh, forsaking the deep and endless hunger of the spirit?  Are we spending our energy and God-granted resources decking the halls, stuffing stockings and stomachs, and making our lists for all and everything this time of year has to offer?  Do we become discouraged when we don't get what we covet, when we have everything we need in Him?  Do we nurse wounds when the gift for which we spent our time, energy, and pennies doesn't provide the congratulatory reward we desired?

I admit it.  

I've done it.  I've sat around a blazing fire in my jammies with a hot cup of spiced cocoa, while filling my the hearts of those I love most with the vaporous things of this world, and called it Christmas.

Except that each and every day we have the pleasure of breathing and seeing and thinking and giving is Easter.  Christ is not come--He is risen!  Cookies might change the scale, toys definitely will change how often you connect with your children--for a week or two, at most--and books might change your mind, but it is the gospel, the power of the risen Christ, which alone changes lives.

Let not the world out-give us, when we have received the most precious of gifts which is ripe for giving at every time of the year...and at Christmas.