Ornaments

In Britain, the day after Christmas is known as Boxing
Day. On this day, people take some of the Christmas gifts
that they received, and put them in boxes and give them
away, either to some friend or relative, or to an employee,
or to a needy person. There is a slight chance that on
Boxing Day, if someone repackages an unwanted
Christmas present in a hurry, or if a present was given
anonymously, some people might receive the same gifts
that they gave as Christmas presents.

Christmas has become known as a time of gift-giving. The wise men presented their famous gifts to the
infant Christ, but the custom of exchanging gifts to celebrate a joyful occasion is more ancient than that. It is
mentioned, for instance, in the book of Esther, when the people were delivered from danger. There may be
a sort of instinct that impels people, when their whole community is blessed, to take steps to ensure that the
whole community experiences the blessing, and celebrates.

It is fitting for the church to celebrate God's great gift to us. We should be like a

Christmas tree - not a lifeless artificial tree, but one that is alive and rooted, in which

God is present in every limb and branch: "above all, and through all, and in you all,"

as Paul describes the presence of the Father in the church in Ephesians 4:7. This tree

bears the fruit of the Spirit, and this tree is adorned with many ornaments. None of

these ornaments have come from an ornament-factory. Each one is unique.

The church should be like a Christmas tree that is decorated with handmade ornaments;

every one representing a special relationship. God wants His church to be ornamented

with our unique expressions of the grace that He has given to each one of us. God's grace is manifold, like a
sparkling jewel with many facets; it catches the light and disperses it in all directions, flashing this way and
that way. And likewise we, having received gifts from God, ought to re-express them and offer them back
to Him. Every one of us has something special to offer. When you, as a child of God, present your unique
ornament to the Father, be sure that He is glad to receive the gifts that He first gave to you. He is glad to
see His grace sparkle through you.