At the conclusion of our recent Zoom Bible study, Stuart asked, “Are there any requests for prayer today?” Among the 11 requests, one stuck in my mind: “Please pray for Nicholas who accepted Christ in my front yard this week . . .”
The sincere, soft-spoken request came from Bill, a retired US Marine Corps combat Pilot. It was not easy to pray for Nicholas without tears filling our hearts for Nicolas and for Bill who shared the Gift of Christmas. Nicholas was known to God before his birth, but Nicholas didn’t know God until Bill, quietly, lovingly introduced him to Jesus.
It reminded me of a poem by James Russell Lowell (1819-1891): “It’s not what we give but what we share, for the gift without the giver is bare. Who gives himself with his gift, feeds three: himself, his hungering neighbor and Me.” (1848).
Christmas has always been a time of tenderness and celebration in my family. Born in 1931, a child like many of the great depression, I received gifts from churches, charities, and the Department of Public Welfare. My siblings all went to work instead of high school.
Remarkably, WWII sent my brother into naval battles in the Pacific. It also gave my father his first job in years, painting ships in Norfolk’s Colonna Shipyard, lifting my family out of poverty.
We always exchanged Christmas presents, even when they were very simple and made by our own hands. My mother assured we all got a gift.
Charles Stanley (1932-2023), a native of Dry Fork, VA, near Danville, grew up in a single-parent home. He was reared by his mother, a devout Christian woman who worked in the Dan River Mills. Dr. Stanley was pastor of the First Baptist Church, Atlanta, for 52 years.
Recently, I’ve identified myself as a “shut-in” who enjoys Dr. Stanely’s sermons still available on TV via what I deem to be remarkable technology.
Charles Stanley’s sermon on “Christmas, a Time for Giving,” replayed on TV 12/15/2024, clarified my thinking about giving and the tradition of giving associated with Christmas. I paraphrase Dr. Stanley here, apologizing for my flaws:
‘Everything about Christmas is about giving. God the Father gave his only Son. Mary gave her body to bear the baby Jesus. She also gave her reputation. She was engaged to Joseph, but the relationship was not consummated. Had Joseph refused to listen to the angel, Mary would have been stoned to death for adultery.
Caesar Augustus gave his decree that all the world should be taxed, a law requiring everyone’s return to their place of birth. Micha, a minor prophet, one of my favorites, foretold 700 years earlier that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
The innkeeper gave a place for Mary to deliver her Infant. Owing to the crowd in town, a stable with animals was all he had. Baby Jesus was laid in a manger, a stone object designed to hold feed for cattle.
Heavenly angels illuminated the sky. Angels gave the announcement to the shepherds; “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2: 10-12.
The shepherds went immediately to see the Christ the Lord. The shepherds gave their testimony.
The wise men traveled from Persia and gave their gifts.
Everything about the birth of Jesus is giving. Jesus gave Himself, He gave the truth, and He gave healing to the sick:
46 Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.
Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”
50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.
51 So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”
52 Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road. Mark 10: 46-52.
Jesus was always giving.
Yes, giving at Christmas is good but giving all the time is better. What is the best gift we ever received? What is the best gift we can give? Can we name one person to whom we gave the Good News, the Gospel?
Charles Dickens wondered if he would turn out to be the hero of his own life. Is there anyone more heroic than Bill in our Bible Study Group? To be a U.S. Marine is the epitome of being tough. To be a combat U.S. Marine Pilot is heroism at its best.
To request prayer for Nicholas, a young man to whom Bill gave the Gospel in his front yard, is to stop as Jesus did on his way to the cross to help a blind man see. May we love to give as Jesus gave us the Gift of Christmas.
Robert S. Brown, MD, PHD a retired Psychiatrist, Col (Ret) U.S. Army Medical Corps devoted the last decade of his career to treating soldiers at Fort Lee redeploying from combat. He was a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Professor of Education at UVA. His renowned Mental Health course taught the value of exercise for a sound mind.
