An Unwanted Gift

I think it's happened to all of us at one time or another. A Christmas gift we have been given has to be exchanged. Maybe it's the wrong size, color, or maybe we already have one just like it, received from the year before. Another reason some exchange a gift is because it didn't come from one of the more “upscale” stores. Even though the gift is given with love, we want one more suited to our needs and off we go to exchange it. We stand in very long lines to return it and get something we wanted in the first place. (By long lines, I refer to stores such as Walmart the day after Christmas.)

Over two thousand years ago a Gift was given to this world. A Gift that came from God Himself. He wanted to give us something that would save us from this world of sin we all live in. But the Gift He gave us was doubted, shunned, and in general refused by most. Since the Present didn't come from a palace but instead was born in a smelly manger, many believed it couldn't be the Gift  that was promised by the Old Testament Prophets. It wasn't wrapped in silk or satin, but in mere swaddling cloth. By today's standards it would be like getting a shirt that came from Target instead of Sak's. If it doesn't come from a “high-end” store, we just don't want it.

Then there were the parents. Just common people. A carpenter and his wife. If this was the gift promised by God, surely the parents would be royalty, or at least someone high up in the government. Today it's just not good enough if a world renown reputation isn't attached to it.

As our Present matured, so many people questioned the validity of it. Why would God give us this Man? It can't be the Promised One saying the things He does and acting the way He does. Today we get a watch and wonder if it's a well known brand like Rolex, instead of being grateful to have a working timepiece.

Even after the miracles performed by Jesus, there were still those of His own lineage that doubted He did them in the name of God. Rather He must do them in the name of Satan. When we receive something absolutely free of charge, our habit is to look for a catch to it. Admittedly, sometimes there is. But often the gift comes from a dear friend, who only wants to give you something from their heart. This is exactly what the Holy Father did. He gave His only Son to us, from His heart, to a world undeserving of such a wonderful Gift.

Sometimes if we don't like something we've received we just put it away, forgetting it even exists. Jesus was crucified by His own people. In a sense He was given back to God who so selflessly gave Him to us. How many people have actually forgotten the Present God gave us so many years ago? And how many actually know that God gave this world His son and...”whosoever believes in Him shall not parish, but have everlasting life.”?

The one Gift that really matters, the One that we really needed, was scoffed at, then given back to the Giver.