Forty years ago, my daughter was just four years old. Like any father, I wanted to give her a gift for Christmas that would fulfill the desire of her heart. That particular year, the object of almost every child’s affections was a red, furry, large-mouthed, vibrating creature labeled as “Tickle Me Elmo.” Elmo was in high demand and an object to be prized.
As was usual for me, I had procrastinated in getting my Christmas shopping done early; therefore, when I did go shopping to obtain the much-desired Elmo, he was not to be found. I went from store to store, only to be disappointed by empty shelves. Finally, after several attempts, I found him. Excitement filled my heart, and in my mind’s eye, I thought that Christmas morning would be as the opening of the heavens for my daughter. But, the initial joy of such a treasured gift quickly gave way to other things as Elmo became buried under the many toys in her toybox.
Isn’t that the way it really is? We desire certain things, but when we obtain them, they are quickly laid aside for something bigger, better and brighter; something we are sure will satisfy any longing in our heart. When we shop for a gift for the special people in our lives, our desire is that the gift will be perfect and adored by them. But the gifts often become outdated, unwanted or unneeded and we bury them underneath the pile of other things we thought we just had to have.
Christmas is not about things; it is about a Person – the Person of Jesus Christ. No matter how far we stray from the truth, Jesus is, and always will be, The Reason for the Season. Though I would agree that Christmas is about giving, it is about God giving to us His Son as the supreme sacrifice to pay the debt of human sin.
John 3:16 is the very heart of the gospel message. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son; that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” God is the greatest gift-giver, and Jesus is the greatest gift. Instead of bobbles and trinkets, gizmos and gadgets, the object of our affections and the desire of our heart should be for the One who is everlasting and can give to us abundant life.
This Christmas I pray that you will not be caught up in the commercialism and parties that cloud and shadow the true meaning of Christmas, but that you will remember that God, who loves every one of us, gave a most-treasured gift – His only Son.
- Pastor Jerry L. Dunn, Oak Street Baptist Church
