Traditions of Christmas. Part 4

“Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!!!” bellows the man in red donning the bag of goodies. Making his list and checking it twice, this bearer of the endless sack of treasures is the central figure in what many consider the most important part of Christmas…GIFTS. For some gift giving is what makes the holiday season feel like Christmas. For others (probably too many), gift receiving is their focus. But when and where did this tradition begin? Who started this annual ritual of braving the treacherous shopping mall to find the last Xbox 360?

Many equate this custom with the Biblical account of Jesus’ birth. In the book of Matthew, the Magi came bearing gifts from the King Herod of Judea—gold, frankincense, and myrrh. However, most associate it with Santa Claus himself.

Nicholas was born in Lycia, Turkey, in the mid-3rd century and would later become bishop of Myra. Centuries after his death and burial at his church at Myra, Nicholas’ reputation for generosity and compassion led to the rise of legends in which he gave to the poor, protected the weak, and even restored life to deceased children. These legends persisted until after the Protestant Reformation of the 1500's. All stories eventually subsided in Europe except for the tale of Sinterklaas (a Dutch version of the name Saint Nicholas) in Holland. Dutch colonists brought this tradition to America where it fused with the Nordic tale of a magician who punished the naughty children and rewarded the nice.

The legend continued to escalate in 1822 with Clement Moore’s The Night Before Christmas, in which Santa Claus was given his sleigh and bag of toys. From the 1860’s through the 1880’s , Thomas Nast illustrated Santa Claus in Harper’s Magazine which gave birth to his famous checklist and his wonderful workshop at the North Pole.

And here we are…2005. Presents under the tree are now, not just anticipated, but expected. It seems that every year that goes by, there are more and more presents to buy. This holiday season as we notice the presents under the tree, let them remind us of the greatest Present ever—Jesus. A Gift given—to not one person—but to humanity. A Gift wrapped—not in beautifully adorned paper and ribbon—but in a lowly, disgusting, common trough. A Gift—not of joy—but of Joy!! It seems the only characteristic this Gift has in common with the millions of other gifts given world wide is that this One didn’t stay wrapped for long. Jesus was placed in a modest manger at His birth, but He didn’t stay there, for He was purposed for a cross. Upon taking our sins to the cross with Him, Jesus was placed in yet another common holder—a tomb.

“Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid.” Luke 23:50-53

I don’t know about you, but when I think of Christmas morning, I don’t recall gifts placed neatly under the tree. Mine are more like visions of shredded wrapping paper scattered across the floor. The sorry remains of what used to be boxes. And a multitude of large garbage bags strategically placed throughout the room. It didn't take us long to tear into the presents that were set aside just for us. These gifts were wrapped for just a moment. Likewise, Jesus was only in the tomb for just a moment. The grave, for everyone else, is an eternal dwelling place physically. But Jesus conquered it—after only three days. Praise God, the Almighty Sovereign and the Omnipotent Savior.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you." 1 Peter 1:3-4

This Christmas morning, as you receive that scarce moment of peace just following the hectic aftermath of chaos, look around. See those empty boxes? See the joy on the their faces? Isn’t the empty box a lot nicer than before? The mystery of what was inside has now been revealed. Gifts are nice…but only when they are opened. Jesus’ crucifixion was amazing, but His resurrection was essential. If He had stayed in the tomb…His death would have been pointless. This was His ministry. He gave His life for it. And it all started with a manger.

I wish each and every one of you a very merry Christmas and may Jesus Christ bless your heart this holiday season.