God’s Gift to Us

Editorial by Carl Rodriguez

Many gift-giving traditions occur during Christmas in North America. Each family that celebrates the event has their own historical and cultural basis for the exchange of presents.

Even the Magi in the time of Christ’s birth gave gifts to show appreciation for the bountiful blessings God had bestowed on them. Matthew 2:11 records this event: “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh” (NIV).

Joseph and Mary appreciated the heartfelt and unsolicited contributions to their prophesied son. The birth of Christ served as a reminder that God the Father also gave humanity an unsolicited and heartfelt gift. He aimed to remind the world that He is in the business of saving and restoring what was lost through another “gift” from an archenemy—the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil: two gifts and two separate outcomes. One offers hope, the other despair.

Giving a gift one makes or buys is one thing, but it takes on a more profound significance when your son is the gift. Jesus was God’s gift to us—a willing gift to restore what was lost—the gift of the tree of life. One day, very soon, we will celebrate a different Christmas under that tree, sharing the fruits in remembrance of His ultimate gift and the promise of a new world.

Carl Rodriguez serves as the Youth Ministries director for the New Jersey Conference.