Goody Bag for Jesus?

Birthday parties are always a blast. I like the part when the birthday kid gets to open all the gifts. The gifts are usually piled up like a mountain, and some gifts may be larger than the kid! The birthday child is the center of attention, and no one else is. But when the children are ready to go back home, they are all given a small “goody bag”, as a token of appreciation for their presence. Even though, the goody bag value may be worth only a couple of dollars, it does bring lot of joy to the children!

Likewise, we should be celebrating Jesus’ birthday also. We should be piling up gifts for Him. But why is His Birthday celebrated so differently? In the name of Jesus, we seem to accumulate for ourselves rather luxurious gifts, but we tend to offer “goody bag” to our Birthday child Jesus! It is high time, we reevaluate our perspective. Let us learn from our own kids. As the Scripture says, “A little Child shall lead them” (Isaiah 11:6), let our children teach us as to who should get all the gifts for Christmas, and who should receive the “Goody Bags”.

Some may argue that we cannot give tangible, material gifts to Jesus. But Mathew 25:35-40 says very clearly that we can still give gifts to Jesus! “I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to me…….Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and gave you drink?………And the King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”

If we budget a sizable amount for the gifts for this Christmas, how much is going to Jesus? We are following a shameful tradition of self-centered “ME” world. Let us be satisfied with just snacks and good food as our goody bag, Let the pricey Christmas gifts go to the people who are in dire need!

Teach your children concerning Jesus’ Birthday celebration. Ask them how their own Birthday is to be celebrated, and then ask them this question,” Should we not celebrate Jesus’ Birthday the same way?” I am sure the children will understand this important principle. But will the grownups ever understand? Let us bring back the real meaning of Christmas. Let the baby Jesus become the center of our attention once again, and let us bring gifts to Him alone, just like the wise men from the East!

Acts242church would like to give a percentage of the offering on Christmas day to help the Homeless. Please feel free to bring your gifts to Jesus on this day. If you cannot be with us on Christmas Day, feel free to mail your check to: Acts242church, 3229 Corporate Court, Ellicott City, MD 21042.