Christmas Sermon

THE GREAT GIFT OF GOD

During this season of Christmas, we often share gifts with one another. This spirit of “I buy for you and you buy for me,” overpowers the real and true Christmas season. Of course, we are indeed happy, joyful, and delighted when we give and receive gifts during this season of Christmas. And for some, the joy to give is more than the joy to receive as to give is an opportunity to show kindness and generosity. On the other hand, others would prefer to receive, and they would call it as an act of humility to receive graciously. However, in all these acts or actions of giving and receiving, there is one particular gift at Christmas, which we can only receive, and can never be able to return. No matter what, we cannot return it, nor should we try to return it as it is impossible to do so. And that gift is this baby, lying in the manger – a gift from God, a gift of God himself to us. You can only open your arms to receive graciously. You can only feel thankful and grateful in receiving him. You can do nothing else, but to only receive him. Thus, this makes us vulnerable. We will always feel we need to return what we have received. We become even more vulnerable when we know that God does not demand any form of compensation for what he has given. God just wants to make your life full with this Gift. When we are full and overflowing with gratitude and thankfulness, instead of turning to God, we should turn to one another and share this very blessing with one another. In sharing, we should be like lights, which can never be contained but always shinning ever brightly. It is when we receive God as our gift, and then only can we share him to others. In this way, we ourselves become gifts to one another. Thus, treating each other with reverence, sacredness, appreciation, kindness and much love.

Wishing all of you a Blessed Gifted Christmas
Fr. Robert Daniel