So, What Is That Gift Anyway?

by: Elaine Bickel

Many years ago, when I was teaching third grade, I received a most unusual gift for Christmas. As I opened the red and green felt object, I was quick to say thank you to the student who had given it to me. While I had no idea what it might be, I did think it was colorful and I reminded myself that it was the thought that counted. The child had given it in love and I had received it in love and that was all that mattered. Still, I was more than curious as to its purpose. Finally, I decided its purpose could be whatever I wanted it to be. Later that evening, the entire faculty gathered at the home of our kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Jalbing. Mrs. Jalbing was, by far, the most financially blessed person on the staff and also the most cultured. She had white carpeting in her home. Her husband owned an airplane. She had eaten caviar and I, well, I did not fit into that category. Still, I decided I would go to the party and put my best foot forward. I looked again with wonder at that colorful gift and decided it would be perfect for holding the tray of cookies I would take to the party. After all, it had a plate sized opening on one end and, perhaps, just perhaps, that was the purpose of the gift.

Upon entering the beautifully decorated white carpeted home, I placed my plate of cookies, enclosed in the mystery gift, confidently on the table. No one said anything, but I did notice some people looking at it a bit curiously. I understood that. After all, it had made me very curious also. When I noticed that no one was taking cookies from my container, I decided to open it and expose the cookies. Still, there were no takers. Finally I said, "Come on you guys, why aren’t you eating my cookies? I even put them into a pretty felt Christmas carrier."

"That is precisely why we do not want the cookies," they responded.

I explained that it was a gift from a child and that I thought it was very nice. They agreed it was nice but then had the audacity to ask me if I knew what it was. "Not really," I responded. The room erupted in laughter as they explained to me that it was a toilet seat cover. On the top of the container was a picture of Santa. On the bottom of the container, was the same Santa with his eyes covered so that he would not see anything inappropriate when the lid was lifted. Amazing! I had tried to be extra fancy and to fit into high society and I had brought my plate of cookies in a toilet seat cover. I enjoyed a good laugh and the rest of the party, but also did not have a particular appetite for cookies that evening.

This Christmas we will all receive a gift—Jesus Christ. Some of us know the purpose of that gift. Some will not know the purpose of Christ’s birth. How will those who do not know find out what He really is all about? Those of us who know will need to tell. They will not discover it on their own. As Scripture reminds us, "How can they believe in whom they have not heard?" (Romans 10:14)

There will be many this season that will simply celebrate the season, trying to fit in, trying their best to be a part of the party. Only those who know the purpose of Christ’s birth really have a reason to celebrate. Whether or not others will want to "Taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8) will depend on how tastefully they see God’s Holy Spirit at work in our lives. It is time for us to uncover the mystery of Christ’s birth so all the world can see and know that He has come to them so that others will be able to exclaim with us, "Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given."

Rejoice over the gift of Christ’s birth! Celebrate Christ’s birth with those who know about it and with those who aren’t sure what that all means! Enjoy the season! And, yes, eat some cookies… that have not been stored in a toilet seat cover.