Our Gift

 

original art (c) 2011 by Catherine Hershberger

Last night the children at our church presented their Christmas program entitled Our Gift. The MC of the presentation, one of the youth group members, spoke about the gifts the baby Jesus received at his birth: the gift of a mother willing to do God’s will, the shepherds who gave the gift of time as they rushed to Bethlehem and spread the word about the Christ, and the three gifts the wise men brought—gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then he talked about the gifts each of us brings to the world, each other, and to the Lord’s service, and he spoke about how each gift, although different—like the different parts of the body—contributes to the whole of the church.

As he spoke, each of the children executed a talent they had. One played several simple melody- line-only songs on the piano. Another played Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star on the trumpet. A Boy Scout assembled a tent. We had a gymnast perform a routine. Two youths demonstrated Taekwondo.  We saw a short video composed by another child. A boy read a short Christmas story written by one of the girls. Other youths, who weren’t on stage, worked the microphones, created the programs, and baked goodies for the refreshments afterward. The closing prayer was even covered by a young boy.

I have to admit it was one of the most unusual Christmas programs I have seen. There wasn’t a lot of flash or pomp. No big sets, musical songs, or knock-your-socks-off Hollywood performances. Just children displaying their talents, however simple they might be, in a sweet, honest attempt to teach those listening that everyone has a gift they can lay at Jesus’ feet.

It was also a humbling Christmas program. As adults who’ve grown up in a society that emphasizes bigger equals better, sometimes we aren’t happy with the small gifts we can offer. After all, wouldn’t raising a million dollars for a God’s cause be better received than twenty or even fifty dollars? If God loves a cheerful giver, then surely he loves a cheerful giver who gives even more than the next guy in the pew, right?

Yet last night, the children reminded us that no gift is too small to bring to Jesus.  When we work together, for the Lord, combining our gifts like the youth did last night, we can have a far reaching impact—one that will spread the message of the manger—For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Over two thousand years ago, God delivered a gift to the world—a tiny baby whose birth would change the lives of every person who chooses to accept his gift. If the God of the heavens can present us with such a big gift, then surely we can offer him whatever gifts we have, no matter how small they are, or what they are. When you celebrate the Lord’s birth this Christmas season, lay a gift from your heart at his manger. God is ready to accept whatever you give.

 

 Catherine Castle has been writing all her life. Before beginning her career as a romance writer she worked part-time as a freelance writer. She has over 600 articles and photographs to her credit, under her real name, in the Christian and secular market. Besides writing, Catherine loves traveling with her husband, singing, and attending theatre. In the winter she loves to quilt and has a lot of UFOs (unfinished objects) in her sewing case. In the summer her favorite place to be is in her garden. She’s passionate about gardening and even won a “Best Hillside Garden” award from the local gardening club.

Her debut inspiration romantic suspense, The Nun and the Narc, from Soul Mate Publishing was an ACFW Genesis Finalist, a 2014 EPIC finalist, and the winner of the 2014 Beverly Hills Book Award and the 2014 RONE Award.