We are in the second week of Advent 2023 when we celebrate love in the coming of Christ. I am reflecting on Christmas, gifts, and love. What makes this all so special? Of course I am hoping to receive my favorites of perfume, candles, a new journal (that I personally chose), colorful gel pens, and comfy socks. I might even wrap our family gifts before Christmas Eve. (Don’t count on it though.) Jack will read the account of Jesus’ birth from the gospel of Luke. We will unwrap gifts one at a time on Christmas morning. The moment will last as long as possible. Then we will eat quiche, fried potatoes, crispy bacon, and loads of Christmas cookies followed by a smoked turkey dinner later in the day. To say I am grateful is an understatement. Gifts are… a gift 🙂

It is only fitting that we give gifts on the day when we celebrate the greatest gift of all. Jesus. It is only fitting that my thoughts also go towards eternal gifts that were given for our good. Yet, I find myself saddened when thinking of these holy gifts of the spirit. It is not the gifts that grieve my heart. It is how we, the church, sometimes deliver the gifts. We often flip things upside down. Say what you want, but I doubt it always pleases the Lord.

Our call is to pursue love and to earnestly desire spiritual gifts. If actions speak louder than words, which they do, the church often does the opposite. We pursue gifts. Chase gifts. Crave gifts. Compete with gifts. Somewhere on the back burner of our life is the annoying and irritating reminder of relational love… that thing we are “supposed” to do.

Yet, Christmas is all about the gift of Emmanuel, God with us. His compassionate Presence moved (and moves) him to minister healing life. He became Love Personified.

Without love, gifts are like loud clanging cymbals that slam in your ears. Without love, we can literally give all our possessions to feed the poor but it will profit us no eternal reward. Without love, our gifts might be costly and may help the receiver, but it will carry little sense of heart.

On the contrary, gifts given in love have a tone that causes piercing truth to heal even when it hurts. With love, we can feed people with hope and natural sustenance & we will find ourselves more fulfilled not less. Ordinary items become a treasure when they are birthed with an investment of love.

My gift to you this holiday season is a simple reminder. Pursue Love. Chase it. Crave it. If there is competition, let it be in showing love. All the while, earnestly desire spiritual gifts especially that you would have words that cause the tottering to stand and infuse strength to the weary.

May the gifts we exchange this year come through lives that personify the love of God.

Happy Advent!

Mary