Holly Gerth designed a Christmas card inspired by Ephesians 5:1. She writes
Jesus
He came not to a throne, but to a manger.
He lived not as a king, but as a servant.
He chose not a kingdom, but a cross.
He gave not just a little, but everything.
As I read Holly Gerth’s words, I reflected on God’s possible thoughts in leaving it all to come into this world created with love for us to enjoy as a fully human and fully divine child named Jesus (Emmanuel). There is no doubt that God had us engraved in mind, heart, and hand.
Through this wondrous miracle and mystery, Jesus became the Greatest Gift Ever for humanity, the broken, the hurting, the lost, and the marginalized. Jesus has transformed us into beautiful gifts to this world by giving everything, not withholding anything.
There is something about watching others open gifts that are thoughtfully hand- and heart-picked by the giver. Whether the wrapping is carefully taken off or ripped to shreds out of pure excitement and joy, gifts have a deep meaning for the giver and the receiver. As God’s gift to the world, you and I are “to be imitators of God, as beloved children, and we are invited and encouraged to walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
May this Christmas season find you wrapped in God’s healing grace so that all who may unwrap your heart experience that they, too, are God’s gift to the world, made whole by the unconditional love of God for all of humanity.
May this Christmas be filled with hope, peace, joy, and love, and the incoming new year be healthy and whole in the awareness of God’s eternal and abundant gifts of grace freely given, mercy unending, and unconditional love.
In the love of Christ and with a grateful heart,
Pastor Iraida