Christmas is almost here! It’s a busy and exciting time. We’ve filled the last few weeks with hours upon hours of preparation. We’ve scoured the Internet and our local stores in a search for the perfect gifts for family and friends. We’ve created a menu and have—or will—shop for the ingredients for that special meal and our kids’ favorite cookies. We may have even gotten a new outfit for Christmas Mass.
We’ve done so much for others, but what have we done for Baby Jesus? Have we found the perfect gift for Him? Have we even looked?
Amidst all the hustle and bustle, we must not let the fact slip away that we’re celebrating Christ’s birthday. His life—and death—is the greatest gift ever given to us.
Though we should do things that please God every day of our lives, today especially we must gift Him with something special.
What is it that Christ wants from us?
He wants what every good parent wants from their child. He wants peace, happiness, joy, obedience, and love.
So how do we give those things to Him? We do for others. As He said in Matthew, “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
We act as Christ would when we interact with others.
We show mercy to someone who has hurt us.
We forgive someone who has wronged us.
We give our time to someone who needs a friend.
We listen when others speak.
We teach our children and others about the goodness of God.
We make Christ the center of our family.
We resolve to spend more time with God in the coming year.
We serve others with kindness.
We speak well of others.
We pray.
All of these things are immense gifts to Christ. He doesn’t need things. He needs us to change. He needs us to soften some part of our hardened hearts. He needs us to return to Him.
As we approach Christ’s birth, let us all strive to find that one special gift for Baby Jesus. Take time to reflect and to find a way to improve some aspect of your life that will please Christ and help you grow closer to Him. Maybe you have held a grudge too long. Maybe you often let your anger get the best of you. Maybe you struggle with being kind to someone at the office or in your extended family. Maybe you have held on to hurt and bitterness so long that it’s eating you up inside. Maybe you struggle with an addiction. Or maybe you have felt yourself drift away from God. We all have something that has created a barrier between us and Our Lord. Our gift to Baby Jesus should be to begin to tear that barrier down.
Remember, our lives are not our own. They belong to Christ. This Christmas, let us not forget that we are His. Let us find joy in this fact and give Him the greatest gift we possibly can—ourselves.
Have a very Merry Christmas!
Facebook Comments