Lesson 154: The First Gift of Christmas

   5^th Kentucky Chaplain J. W. Binion

My Beloved Compatriots,

A time for rejoicing is upon us. We are entering the season during which we shop for gifts for our loved ones. We become entangled in the rush, hub-bub, and excitement of this shopping season. We search for gifts that will both delight and bless those upon whom we will bestow these gifts. As I contemplate these weeks of giving and receiving, a number of questions come to mind.

First, have we changed a time of spiritual rejoicing into a time of commercial endeavor? Second, why is it that the unbeliever is so quick to want all signs of the Nativity removed from public view but always ready to accept the money/gifts associated with the season? Third and most important of all – what was the very first Christmas gift?

The first two are a matter of continuing debate, year after year. The third is something many of you will think about and others will give no thought to whatsoever. Some of you will be answering – Love.

If you answered “Love” then you have started toward the correct answer. Love is of course a major part of the first Christmas gift, but it is not the complete answer.

Instead of looking to scripture in the tradition Christmas passages, may I be so bold as to suggest that you search for the answer in the Gospel of St. John. Go to the 3rd Chapter and begin with the 16th verse. Yes dear hearts, you will read the familiar words, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…”

The very first Christmas gift was a baby – a child – the only begotten Son of God. It was because of God’s love for us that He GAVE His only Son to become man. The Son would walk among us, live like us, grow up like we do, learn as we do, and experience the life of a man.

The baby Jesus would become the sacrifice for our sins, He would suffer as we have not. The baby Jesus would grow physically and in wisdom (it’s in scripture). Your sins, my sins, would be placed on Him even though He had no sin. He would be tortured for our sins, His suffering; His death for us would be to save us from hell. We did nothing to deserve this gift of the manger – God GAVE us His Son because He loved us. As trite as it sounds – Jesus IS the reason for the season.

Give thanks to God as you are giving the gifts this Christmas and remember that the very first gift was a child. Have a blessed and merry Christmas, your obedient servant-Chaplain J. W. Binion, 5th KY Vol. Infantry Co. D, E, F, CSA