Christmas Presents

December 16, 2009

My community group is meeting tonight, and we’re having a Christmas party. I love parties! I love party food! As a part of the night, we’re all bringing presents for a girl in our community whose family has had a difficult time and can’t provide presents for their children this year. It was awesome to watch people respond to the need. It didn’t take hardly any prodding. The email went out and people instantly responded. I really do love to see people give generously, and I really enjoy being able to help out others. It makes me feel good. It’s fun! I also think this is a GREAT way to share the love of Jesus with others. We can meet a need in Jesus’ name. However, this also got me thinking.

I see all the shoe boxes at churches, all the offices taking up donations, and the schools filling the need for students. We love to buy new shoes, a pair of jeans, a new game of Yahtzee. Our culture absolutely won’t allow a child to wake up, wipe the sleep out of their eyes, and not find something under the tree. We’ll go to almost any length to make sure that doesn’t happen.

But here’s the question that has been running through my head: Am I just as concerned about these kids having THE Christmas present in their heart as I am of them having A Christmas present under the tree?

Yes, I know that providing a new pair of Reeboks is a great way to show them that I love them. Yes, I can, and should, do it in the name of Jesus. However, if my concern was more for their heart would I stop at delivering the present? Or, would I go to great lengths to make sure they understood WHY I was concerned about them? Would I continue to invest in them, love them, provide for them, and do it all in Jesus’ name? Would it be as fun and easy as buying a cool gift? Or, would it be difficult, messy, time consuming, and costly?

If I’m really honest with myself I have to admit that I’m usually ready to move on once they have the goods. I think I’ve done my duty. I’ve had my fun. I can feel good about myself. But now, I’m wondering, what happens when they go to sleep that last time and wake up in eternity? What gift will they find that morning? Will they know, will I have helped them understand, that Jesus left it hanging on a tree?

I think I have some work to do this Christmas.

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