Christmas: A time of giving
(Matt. 1 & 2)

ZK Pahru Pou *

MBC Church at Imphal

Introduction: Christmas is coming again. It is a time of joy and laughter. It is a time of sharing. It is a time of giving and helping one another. It was at this time God gave His Son Jesus for us. The coming of Jesus to this world was made possible by the sacrificial role of Angels and Mary and Joseph. The wisemen from the East introduced Jesus to the world as the King, Priest and the truly Human One. So many people including God Himself participated in bringing the Saviour to the world.

I. God gave His best on Christmas: Our God is a giving God. He gives us His Son Jesus Christ. Isaiah 9:6 says, "For to us a Son is given..." John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son...". We find in Galatians 4:4 that "God sent forth His Son...when the time had fully come..." Jesus was gift from God. God knows what to give and when to give because He knows what we need most. God gave us His best One- the only Son, to us and for us at the right time. At the time of Jesus' birth, according to history, people were in full preparation: politically, religiously, economically and socially. Hence, the coming of Jesus was not accidental; it was an appointment. God gave us His Son when the time had fully come (ripe).

II. Angels gave their best: Angels played an active role in bringing the Saviour to the world. They acted as a go-between God and human beings. The angels appeared to Mary and announced that the Saviour of the world would be born through her. The angel also told Joseph not to afraid to take Mary as his wife although she was pregnant out of wedlock. When Jesus was born, the angels burst into joy, singing "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace". They angels also brought good news of great joy to the shepherds. Hadn't been the active participation of angels in bringing all the information, the birth of Jesus could have been end-up in controversy.

III. Mary and Joseph gave their best: During the birth of Jesus, Caesar Augustus was the Emperor of Rome. He learnt that the amount of taxes was not commensurate with the number of subjects. It was also a custom that after every 14 years, the census was done to have an accurate idea of populations of the several provinces. According to tradition, Caesar ordered that that everyone should return to the cities of their fathers and there be counted in a two weeks period. Joseph sought the local merchant and asked if woman in advanced pregnancy could be excused. He was told that no one was exempted from it. Even the blind and the lame had to be carried from the pallets. Because of this strong royal decree, Joseph has to go back to the place from where he came. He started the journey with his wife Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem – a distance of eighty five miles (135Km). Mary's belly was already big enough. She mounted on the back of a Donkey and Joseph travel on foot. On the fifth day of their journey at Sundown, they reached Jerusalem. Bethlehem is still 10 km away and by the time they reach, it was already dark. Bethlehem was crowded because of the census. It was probably their first visit to Bethlehem.

Mary becomes uncomfortable. They hurried to the inn, to find place for a child to be born. Leaving Mary outside the inn, Joseph tried his best to get a private room but all in vain. The Inn was jam-packed and many were sleeping on the road and the valley. When Joseph could not find a room, he sought for a midwife. He did not get one. At last, the inn-keeper's wife suggested her husband that if Joseph needs a place, why didn't he take his wife to the cave below, where animals were being kept. The man called Joseph and told about it. Mary and Joseph were happy to be there. It was told that Mary never complains of anything. It seems well that they used to feel shy of each other. Joseph was probably 19 years and Mary 15 years old. Joseph found a lamp and lighted it. He cleaned the feed-box of animals, arranged bed with straw, and covered with cloak. It is to this place Mary gave birth to a son called Jesus. Imagine how any woman would struggle to give birth to a first child with no midwife, proper cloth to wrap the baby in a chilly wintry night. That's how Mary gave birth to Jesus our Saviour.

Right from the announcement of the Angel, Mary was always willing to give her best. She took a bold decision and submits her body willingly for the Messiah to be born through her. God could send Jesus to the world only because of her exceptional decision and submission. Joseph did the same. He knew that the child in Mary's womb was not his biological child. However, he accepted Mary as his wife; saved her from public shame and punishment. He took her to Bethlehem – and fulfilled the long awaited prophecy (Matt. 2:6).

IV. The Wisemen (Magi) gave their Best: The Magi from the East came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the baby born to be the king of the Jews?" For we have seen his star in the East and came to worship Him". According to tradition, the very star that appeared on the night of Jesus birth came in opposite direction with extra-ordinary light. It seemed to have stop right over the place where the child was born (Matt. 2:10). The identities of the Magi as mentioned in the Bible were exactly not known.

Who could be these wisemen? Were they astrologers or philosophers? or magicians? or interpreters of dreams? How many were they? We considered them to be three because they brought three gifts. Some biblical scholars gave their names as Gaspar, Melchoir and Balthasar. Some suggested that they were from different countries, studying the star and were led to the same place (spot) by a star and so went together. We can be sure that they were from influential and rich family as their gifts testify. Possibly, they were more than three persons. In olden days, the rich people rarely travel alone. They usually travel along with their family members, domestic servants, animals and their guards, because of the fear of robbers. Therefore, some suggested that they were three hundred in number, enough to cause great disturbance to Herod. Whoever they might be and whatever might be their number, the Bible clearly stated that the wisemen from the East came and worshipped Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Biblical scholars have told us that each of these gifts has its own significance. Gold as a gift is fit only for King. Although Jesus was never officially recognized as King, we have certain passages in Bible that described Jesus as King. He was born as a king (Matt. 2:2). He entered Jerusalem as a king (John 6:15). He was judged as a King (Mark 15: 2) and was crucified as a King (Luke 23:38). Therefore, the wisemen presented gold in recognition of Jesus as King. Frankincense is a kind of oil with sweet smell (aroma). It is used by priest for burnt offering in God's temple. Priests act as mediators between God and humans. Jesus was a priest, a mediator and our perfect sacrifice. Hence, the gift of frankincense recognized Jesus as the Priest. Myrrh is also a kind of oil that was used as a balm or as a ritual for the dead. Jesus was born as a human being and so would die one day. The gift of myrrh shows that Jesus became fully human. After his crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus used myrrh for the burial of Jesus (John 19:38-40). Thus, the wisemen gave the right gifts to Jesus.

Significance: Well, dear believers, transformation of a society is not an individual enterprise. Only through collective effort, we can change our society and the world. God needs the cooperation of angel, Mary and Joseph and the wisemen in sending His son into the world. Each of us likewise, must give our best for the service of God. During Christmas, God gave His best (His only Son) for the world. The Angels gave their best in making known the plan of God. Mary and Joseph gave their best in bringing forth the Saviour to the world. The Wisemen gave their best not only by giving their wealth (as gifts) but also through risking their own lives by disobeying Herod's order to inform him about Jesus. They saved baby Jesus from being killed by Herod.

Friends, if we are economically stable and in a position to spare some (little), let us share with the poor and the needy people in our society during this Christmas. Remember, how God and the wisemen have given their best gifts – gifts that were meaningful and useful. We have the tendency to give gifts (presents) or things only to near and dear ones. Will it be too difficult for us to buy a second-hand jacket or sweater or monkey-cap and give to the poor rather than spending money on costly Christmas Cards? Cards are useful only for one day and are not necessary for survival. Will it be too difficult to minimize one food item from Christmas party menu and help the orphans or the poor living next door to us? Will it not be more meaningful if we save the huge amount of money meant for decoration in our house and help the widows, the lame, blind and others who cannot help themselves? Let us think together.

If we, unlike God and the wisemen, do not have anything to give, we can herald the good news of great joy like the Angels. We can proclaim Jesus to others through our words and deeds. We can submit our life to God so that He will make us as the bearers of good news to the people who have not known Jesus. God demands our best and this Christmas is the right time to respond to God's call. The best gift that we can give to God is our body, mind and soul. God needs each one of us to spread the good news of Christmas to the whole world.

God needs us and is seeking our co-operation in fulfilling His plan of salvation. Through the cooperation of Mary and Joseph, God was able to send forth Jesus into the world. Every Christmas is a reminder to us then that God still needs people like Mary and Joseph who would listen, obey and carry out the plan of God faithfully. Christmas, therefore, is not just a joyous occasion of feasting and merry making. It is also a time of sharing what we have with others. It is also a time of rededicating our life to God – a living sacrifice. I pray to God to help each one of us to celebrate this Christmas purposefully. Happy Christmas to all of you!