Each year, we share a Christmas Communion. Its one of my favorite things we do together. In the midst of everything that Christmas has become – vacations, presents, meals, gatherings, special programs – our shared communion provides a reflective time to remember why Jesus came to earth.
He was born to die. For us. For you.
The three wise men brought Jesus gifts after the first Christmas. Our human nature somehow turned that into us receiving gifts – we have turned Jesus’ birthday into an opportunity for us to get gifts – how telling!
So last night we turned our attention toward giving God a gift.
What do you give God? You give Him your life, and after that you give Him your attention, thoughts, and actions.
Before we took communion, we reflected on what it is we are willing to give God. He’s given us the opportunity of eternal life, so whatever we can offer seems so meager. But it isn’t to Him. He desires our relationship, and our relationship can be used to draw other people into a relationship with Him. He desired our relationship so much that He gave us His Son on Christmas. He’s given us everything, yet He allows us to give Him something too. He doesn’t force our relationship, its our choice, its a gift we can choose to offer and deepen.
I don’t know what you gave Him last night but I was honored to be in the same room, playing Christmas hymns on the piano, while you did. We do important things, things with eternal consequences together – and because of that we are bonded together. God is so gracious – even when we give Him a gift, He gives us one back at the same time!
I hope you have a fun and happy Christmas, but I pray you have a meaningful Christmas.
Several of you asked for the song I played for our reflection time – here it is:
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Great message and loved the song!
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