Gift giving is a big part of the Christmas season. We give gifts to show appreciation and affection that nurture relationships with close family and friends.
However, upon reflecting on humanity’s greatest gift Jesus Christ who gave himself to be the Savior of all mankind, we learn the greatest example of gift giving is not in giving to loved ones, but to those most at odds with us.
Gift giving is an act of mending.
The thought of giving to one’s enemies this or any season is probably not a priority on your Christmas list. However, consider the wisdom in the book of Proverbs.
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you. NIV Proverbs 25:21-22
Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son highlights this principle. To the dismay of his loyal son, the father GIVES a large banquet to honor the return of his wayward son. What a surprise for his rebellious son and what a testimony of his father’s love this gift must have brought. The relationship was not only restored but the prodigal son has seen a depth of his father’s character that the loyal brother could not.
Jesus Christ astonishingly declares – “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you…. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them… But love your enemies… then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” NIV Luke 6:27-35
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the USA who preserved the unity of his country and abolished slavery, understood the transformative power over ones enemies by stating:
“The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend.”
Jesus’ primary mission is to reconcile his enemies by giving them the greatest gift of all.
“… while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son…” NIV Romans 5:10
Jesus’ instruction begs us to think contrary to human logic: “For if you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” NIV Matthew 5:46-47
Jesus not only requested we love our enemies, he demonstrated the power of love by giving himself to all of mankind to show how much stronger love is over hate.
So this season, use the act of gift giving in its most powerful form. Think of those that you think very little of and witness the transformative power of giving to those who least expect or deserve it.
Wishing you a restorative season this year!
