COMPLETE THE GIFT
Selected, Purchased, Hanged on the tree, Given and Received
With thoughts concerning the concert of December 21 at the Trinity Church of the Nazarene in Glasgow, Kentucky, we have discussed the real meaning of Christmas; the GIFT that was given at Christmas and the reaction of the various people during this holiday season; those of us who claim a relationship with Jesus, the GIFT of Christmas; and we began to think. Yes, Jesus was sent to earth in human form to become the redeeming sacrifice of the human race. This is why WE celebrate Christmas. But we too often forget that the birthing of Jesus was only the beginning of the gift. You see, His birth could be seen as the “selection” of the gift. It hadn’t yet been placed at the tree, or unwrapped from the tomb. The GIFT that came at Christmas is an enduring gift that has several “parts”, if you will. As you know when you go Christmas shopping for someone very special, you will go to store after store looking for “just the right thing”. THEN you make arrangements to pay for it. You will take it home, wrap it, place it under the tree or even “hide” it until the appropriate time of giving. When the gift is given, you expect it to be received with joy; appreciation. This gift has been carefully thought out, lovingly chosen, wrapped and given.
I am reminded of the scripture in Revelation that says, “I wept much because no man was found worthy to open the book”. (Revelation 5:4) Many believe this is referring to the opening of the book of life. If so, then it would be fitting that Jesus, the Lion of Juda, the sacrificial Lamb, would be the only one worthy to do so.
Jesus came down at Christmas as a gift, but the gift wasn’t complete at His birth. The sacrifice hadn’t been yet made. It takes His life all the way to the crucifixion and the resurrection for the gift to be complete. The actual gift is in the sacrifice. He followed all the “rules” for gift giving at Christmas…He was “given”; He was hanged on a tree; He was “hidden” away, and He came forth from the hiding to finish the completion of the true GIFT–eternal life.
We now understand that the gift is not complete without the crucifixion and the resurrection. But is that really where it ends?
Have you selected that perfect gift, been careful with all that was involved in choosing, wrapping, and giving the gift only to have it discarded like the wrap it came in; or even returned to you with an apology of “I can’t accept it”? Maybe it was kept but hidden away in a closet because they didn’t want to hurt your feelings by declining the gift? Maybe next gift giving season, it was returned to YOU as a gift? It would hurt,…wouldn’t it? The gift isn’t a complete gift until it is received.
I know of a story of someone who had earned an award. This was a treasure held in safe keeping for many years. One day the owner, knowing that time was short, wanted to pass it on to a close family member; only to have it rejected with the words, “It would mean nothing to me.”
This is how I imagine the Father feels so many times when we reject His gift to us. We either reject it right up front, or we “pretend” to accept it, then just place it in the back of the closet hoping no one knows. We don’t want to “hurt” Him by making Him think we don’t want it. Yet we must keep it so if asked about it we can say “Yes, I’ve accepted Jesus.” But is it true acceptance if we hide Him away so no one can see Him. I would almost think it would be better to not receive Him to begin with. With the “false” receiving of the gift, would come a false sense of salvation. False–not true; false–fake; false–deceit. This type of thing comes from satan, the soul’s accuser. It would be he, who convinces us that we have received it, so we just keep it hidden to not “offend” anyone. This must bring us to the scripture, “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38. “…blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” Matthew 11:6. “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32. “Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:…” Luke 12:8
I must ask you at this point, have you FULLY accepted the COMPLETE gift of Christmas? Totally and completely; no question about it? Do you have it proudly on display, or have you tucked it away somewhere so you can “claim” it without “offending” anyone.
You know the time is very short when we will have to stand FIRM; 
unashamed; unafraid to claim the gift as ours. The antichrist will be looking for recruits. Will you then pull out your “gift” and say, “sorry, I’m already taken”, and hope he believes you, or will he know without question whose side you are on? Which gift have you proudly displayed? Which have you hidden away?
Erica
Charles
Maxine
