By Danny Minton

What was your favorite Christmas gift growing up? Over the years, I have received numerous gifts at Christmas, most of which I have forgotten. However, there are a couple I  remember receiving that would fall under the title of favorites. One was a Daisey BB Gun complete with ammunition and scope. The other was a fancy Gilbert Chemistry Set. I know I received many different things, but these topped the list. 

My mother used to tell us about receiving a gift she received in elementary school during the Great Depression. It was a simple gift, one that most of us would probably scoff at receiving. It was during a struggling time in America, and a boy in her class gave her a gift. The gift was a matchbox with a few unshelled pecans. She knew it was all he had to give, but she remembered his kindness in giving.

We looked forward to receiving many gifts under the tree when we were young. We ripped the paper from the boxes and eagerly opened the lids to see what surprise lay for our discovery. Most of the gifts we enjoyed, while some found themselves stored away, disappointed that they were not what we wanted.

As we grow older, we find ourselves getting more joy in the giving than the receiving. Our gift is often received by seeing the glow in someone else’s eyes as they open something we gave them. The joy of watching our children excitedly open their presents gives us a deeper feeling than receiving. The joy of seeing other’s smiles is different than those we have when receiving. It feels good to give, expecting nothing in return. It follows what Luke reminds us about how Jesus told us, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” It is in our giving that we receive a closeness to Jesus, the one who taught us by His examples in giving to anyone in need. 

Jesus’ earthly life began with receiving gifts from the wise men. They were gifts meant for a king: Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. However, the gifts could have also been practical for a family with a newborn child. The gold could help pay for needs, and in this case, when the family left for Egypt. Frankincense and Myrrh were said to hold some medicinal value in helping a child with colic and teething. 

At the end of His life, instead of receiving gifts, Jesus gave the ultimate gift, His life, so we can live. In addition, God gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us in our life’s journey. God is always giving and is happy when we show our love for Him in return.

What are we to do with the gifts given to us by Jesus? The answer is simple: we are to give our lives to others so they can know the joy of receiving the gifts we receive. The gifts we receive are not meant to be kept in our little world but regifted to those we meet daily. The value of gifts we receive in Christ become more valuable when we pass them on to others.

In O’Henry’s story, “The Gift of the Magi,” Della and Jim demonstrate the power of love and giving. They each sacrifice what they hold precious to obtain a gift to give to the other. In return, they each ended up with a gift they could not use. However, the true value of the gifts was the giving of their hearts to each other. Seek the joy that comes from giving, and you will find yourself being given the best gift in return: a warm heart of love.

“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you in return.” Luke 6:38 (NASB)

Danny Minton is a former Elder and minister at Southern Hills Church of Christ