Being a gift for others

Article for the Faith Matters column in Solihull News – Christmas Edition 24/12/09

Christmas - Being a gift for others

When I was little I used to get very excited about Christmas presents. Unwrapping new toys and games was a big part of what Christmas was all about. Now I am older, I still enjoy Christmas gifts, but I am more aware of the real gift that lies at the heart of the celebration. This is God’s gift to us of his only Son, Jesus, who we remember arriving among us at Christmas time.
Jesus was a real gift to people. He healed people. He taught people. He accepted the consequences of people’s sin to the point of dying for them. He is the gift that God gave so that we might have eternal life (c.f. John 3: 16).
This Christmas we too can try to be gifts for other people. We may not have the power or wisdom of Jesus, but we can find practical ways to serve other people, loving them as Jesus loves them. We can do all our share in helping to prepare Christmas meals, and washing up afterwards. We can share the presents we receive. We can show honour and respect to the relatives who we meet at Christmas time. We can be ready to welcome people who we don’t know so well.
If we can live our lives as a gift for other people, then we are being like Jesus. Our behaviour starts to make Jesus more present in the world, as Mary did 2000 years ago. This is the way to really enter into the Christmas story. This is the way to bring peace and goodwill on earth.
May all the joy of Christmas be yours! Fr Gerard