Today’s carol service at Cherry Tree Court looked at the (very topical) question of the perfect gift. Giving a gift is an integral part of Christmas and can be extremely nerve-wracking! We choose gifts for people with loving care, but at times, the special moment is spoiled: perhaps the clothes don’t fit or are the wrong colour, or a toy gets broken in transit, or the person already has the gift we chose. Worst of all it when we realise the gift is really not what they wanted and instead of lighting up with pleasure, there is that momentary glimpse when we realise we have failed in our choice…
What can we possibly give to a king at Christmas? What can we give the living God as a present?
Micah 6:6 talks about the burnt offerings which were a requirement of Jewish law. Often, we look for quality in the presents we buy: the animals offered by the priests had to be without blemish, absolutely perfect. Or perhaps we go for quantity (see Micah 6:7). What we need to realise is that Christmas is about God giving us the perfect gift in His Son, Jesus Christ. (Luke 2:11) All God requires from us is to act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with Him. (Micah 6:8) In other words, the perfect gift to give to God is ourselves. He wants us to give all we are to Him, for He has given everything He has to us.