‘Tis the Season: A Time for Giving, a Time for Children

by Thomas Kruesel

‘Tis the season… It’s an interesting statement about Christmas. It sums it up nicely without really saying anything about it. It can have positive connotations or negative ones, depending on the context. If we are standing in a long line up in the grocery store in those last days before Christmas, then ‘Tis the season sums up the frustration we may be feeling with what we are doing. When we gather together to help out a family who lost their home in a fire, ‘Tis the season summarizes the love and support of others, and the motivation behind it.

As we continue our journey through the season of Advent and into Christmas, I would like to focus your attention on the “2×4 (for)” of Christmas. As you do, it is my prayer that you will gain a deeper appreciation for the reality that Christmas truly ‘tis the season!

The first “for” of Christmas is: “Christmas is for giving.” The second, and closely related, is “Christmas is for children.”

Christmas has changed for me through the years—or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that through the years I have changed.

I still remember as a young boy the anticipation that started the moment the Sears Christmas Catalogue arrived at our house. Hundreds of pages of gift ideas for the whole family! But to be honest, I was mostly interested in what my parents could buy me. Christmas was for giving, but I saw it as a time for others to be giving to me. I remember how the anticipation grew until it reached an almost unbearable climax Christmas Eve, after service, when we opened our presents.

When I had my own children, Christmas was still for giving, but it was now about me giving to them. I got to relive that Christmas joy through their eyes. I still got gifts, but they were paid for with the money I earned.

As the years went on, I entered that stage in life known as “hard to buy for.” At that stage I would help others out by purchasing items (on sale usually) that they could use as stocking stuffers. Then I would be assured to get not only what I wanted but also what I needed.

A couple of years ago I entered what is probably the second last stage in my life. I still buy small things for people to give me, but the difference is that I am nevertheless often surprised by the presents under the tree! I even have a term to describe the phenomena: “bought and forgot.”

I came to the realization in these last stages of my Christmas development that Christmas is for children. They are the ones that embrace it with joy and savour the moments and the gifts.

At the same time, I have come to realize through Sunday School and Confirmation class, through sermons I have heard and preached, and Bible studies I have attended and led, that the “2×4 (for)s” of Christmas also have a much deeper and fuller meaning for the Christian.

Excuse my typographical error earlier in this article; I can’t blame it on auto correct. The first “for” of Christmas should more accurately be “Christmas is forgiving.” Christmas is not about gifts, it’s about the gift—the gift wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. It is the gift of God’s Son, the Word made flesh, the same Word that was with God in the beginning when the world was created. He is the same Word in whom all things hold together.

Christmas is not about gifts, it’s about the gift—the gift wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

The first Christmas gift, our Saviour, brings forgiveness of sins to a sin-sick world. And through the gift of faith, given in Holy Baptism or sparked to life through the hearing of God’s Word, this Saviour becomes our Saviour, and the forgiveness He brings becomes our forgiveness. In Colossians 1:21-22 Paul expresses this truth in these words, “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.”

God’s plan of salvation reaches its climax when our Messiah comes to us, fully God and fully man, to live a perfect life, suffer, die and rise again that we may be assured of the eternal life that is ours. We are reconciled by Christ’s physical body, the body that revealed God’s love and was given to us on that first Christmas. It is the gift we all need, and use in faith every day.

And “Christmas is for children.” Here I am not referring to the Christmas celebrated by people all over the world, some who have faith and understand what Christmas is truly about, and some who only celebrate an empty shell of Christmas. Properly understood and appreciated for what it is, Christmas is a celebration for children—God’s children! Through faith we not only receive the forgiveness of sins, we are also received into God’s family as dearly loved children. As the Apostle John so beautifully says in 1 John 3:1: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”

This is what we are! What a beautiful assurance that the Creator and sustainer of the universe has a personal and vested interest in our well-being, our lives and our futures. He has adopted us as His children, and made us part of His family and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). What joy it brings to know that we have royal blood!

Jesus and Mary: Filippo Germisoni, c. 1715.

Remembering these two truths focuses our attention on what Christmas is truly about. God most clearly reveals Himself to us as He comes to us in flesh and blood. We have received forgiveness of sins and new life through Jesus, our Messiah. And we take hold of this gift through the faith that the Spirit creates in our hearts. In faith, we are God’s children. As God’s children, all the promises God makes to His children in Scripture are promises He makes to us.

In faith, we are God’s children. As God’s children, all the promises God makes to His children in Scripture are promises He makes to us.

We have also been given the privilege to carry out the work of angels (God’s messengers) in sharing the Good News of what Christmas truly means. In this way we can share with others the precious, priceless present we have received. It is a gift they so desperately need. And as children in a family with a loving Father, the gifts we give in sharing the Good News costs us nothing. Our Father pays everything so the gift may be given to others!

Don’t be distracted by the Christmas the world wants you to celebrate. Remember the “2×4 (for)” of Christmas and may the joy of these truths light your hearts and homes. And don’t forget, for these reasons, it truly ‘Tis the season!—a season forgiving and a season for children.

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Rev. Thomas Kruesel is Vice President of Lutheran Church–Canada and pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church in Campbell River, B.C.

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