BY DR. PAUL JOSEPH

1. “Gifts” - Statistics

Christmas season is the best time to give gifts to friends and family. According to US census bureau report, in the United States alone, 20 billion number of letters, packages and cards, the postal service delivers (12 million number of packages; mostly gifts) between Thanksgiving and Christmas each year. $31.7 billion retail sales achieved by the nation’s department stores (Christmas-related sales registered $21.7 billion) in December 2005 reported. This tells about the higher magnitude of “gift-giving” tradition in the US during this season. Like-wise through out the world, people exchange gifts during special occasions. Gifts in general, are natural expressions of our love, regard, and gratefulness to each other. A wide variety of Christmas gifts available in the market is mind-boggling; collectibles, clothes, electronics, wines, jewelry, toys, games for children, gift baskets, wall texts, home items etc., - you name it and its there.

2. “Gift” from God - Christians’ Belief

Christians all over the world believe that God gave His only Son, Jesus Christ as a free gift to humanity through Whom Salvation can be received as a free gift. The Bible says in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He “gave” his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Since God so much loved the world and humanity, He offered His Son, Jesus Christ as a free gift who paid penalty on the cross for the sins of humanity. When Adam (Father of humanity) sinned against God by disobeying the Creator of life, he led the entire human race to sinfulness, condemnation, and eternal death. Christians believe that the “Wages of sin is death, eternal death”. The eternal death means “the death after one die” in our current status of human nature. Eternal life means, a life after death, a great living after one die in this world, a life in “heaven” not in “hell”. That is why the Bible says in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”. So to save everyone from the eternal death (as a result of our humanity head, Adam’s disobedience), God, provided a way by sending His son through the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ, penalizing and sacrificing Him on the cross for the Sins of Humanity. Jesus Christ died on the cross to save the world and resurrected on the third day. Thus, God provided “eternal life”, a life in heaven, as a free gift through His Son, Jesus Christ. Christians believe, when one trusts/believe in Jesus Christ that He died on the cross, rose again on the third day, and accept Him as his/her Savior, he/she is saved by the grace of God and received this “Salvation”. The meaning of Salvation is one’s Sins (sinfulness carried from Adam) “forgiven” and is also declared “righteous”. This can be received through “faith” alone. Thus, the first Adam led humanity to Sinfulness leading to condemnation and eternal death due to his disobedience. But the second Adam, Jesus Christ paved way for the humanity to receive free gift of forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life due to His act of obedience. After this process, God sees this person, who believed in Jesus Christ as a son or daughter, and helps him/her to overcome sinfulness leading towards inner purification (Sanctification) through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, who is also called counselor and comforter is given to an individual who believe in Jesus Christ as a mark of Salvation. Bible says in John 1:12, “But to all who believed Jesus Christ and accepted him, God gave the right to become children of God.” Thus, God, who was a Judge before one accepts Christ becomes a loving Father after believing in Christ, and adopts the individual in to God’s family. Since, God loved the humanity He gave His son as a free gift. When we “love” someone we must “give”. The love can be only expressed in our good actions through the giving of Gifts.

3. “Gift” ideas for the Season

Someone said that, “Life is a Gift from God, and your Gift to God is to live a life that is pleasing to Him.” Gifts are invaluable. The difference between an item bought in a store and gift is that the former has a value but the latter has no price-tag to it. It is invaluable. That is why we peel of the price information on the items we give others as gifts. There are some gifts we can give to our friends and family and these gifts can be bought. More than these gifts that we buy in stores, there are far greater gifts we can offer without spending a penny during this great season of gifts.  Charles Swindoll wrote in his book, “Growing Stronger”: “Some gifts you can give this Christmas are beyond monetary value: mend a quarrel, dismiss suspicion, and tell someone, “I love you.” Give something away—anonymously. Forgive someone who has treated you wrong. Turn away wrath with a soft answer. Visit someone in a nursing home. Apologize if you were wrong. Be especially kind to someone with who you work. Give as God gave to you Christ, without obligation, or announcement, or reservation, or hypocrisy”

Christmas gifts are a wonderful way of saying that we bless one another with prosperity, peace, happiness, and goodwill. By giving gifts to each other, we propagate the message of love and peace to the entire community. Let’s try to do our best this Christmas season and spread love, kindness, and happiness to our neighbors around.

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year 2009!!