There are a lot of things that make this time of year special. Yet, by far and away the most meaningful for me is reflecting on Christ’s birth and the Nativity; God giving His Son. For hundreds of years humanity had longed for the Savior that was foretold. Now the time had come! Without doubt, this would become the most significant event in history.
Amazingly enough however, is the manner in which God choose to give us His Son. His arrival wasn't announced in a way that would have seemed appropriate. As a matter of fact, even though there were far more people in Bethlehem at that time than normal, no one had a clue as to what was about to take place. It wasn’t until angels heralded the news to a few shepherds in a nearby field that anyone even knew that God’s Son was being born that night.
And so it was, removed from all the commotion, somewhere in a small barn, amidst a few livestock, a young woman groaned with the pains of birth. God’s salvation was being revealed...and no one- except the shepherds- had any idea what was happening! Incredible! God had sent his Son to save all humanity, the same Son who always was and always will be (Revelation 1:8) and it nearly goes unnoticed.
It reminds me of something Jesus said during His Sermon on the Mount, "When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself. You've seen them in action, I'm sure—'playactors' I call them— treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that's all they get. When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out." Matthew 6:2-4 Message Bible.
This seems to sum up God’s giving nature; though He commands highest honor, he does some of his most amazing acts of kindness quietly and unpretentiously. He didn't need extra fanfare to announce the arrival of His Son. He's God...He doesn't need any fanfare!
Why not try giving a gift this Christmas, as much as is possible, without letting the recipient know who it's from. You'll still enjoy the reward of sharing and I think you might find the gift will still have as great an impact on the person opening it!
Do you enjoy giving? Do you prefer to put your name on gifts when you give?
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