The title of this reflection is based on a children activity, which centres on the idea of Christ as a gift, during this time when we think of giving each other presents, it challenges us to think of Christ as a gift from God. This idea of the gift, to some extent gives one a different perspective to Christmas, or to the way we celebrate. God has indeed given us his gift, and as we all know a gift is given without coercion, and this is why the Bible says: “God so loved the world that He gave…” (John 3:16). When we love someone, it is normal to want to give something as an act of love, and to some extent this urge to give is God given.
I wonder what comes to our mind when we think of the Christmas, and Christmas of course is a time of exchanging and giving each other presents/gifts or we might want to call it a gift”. In Zimbabwe, people used to visit the rural areas to celebrate with others, and during this time, people would eat rice, chicken and all the delicacies, which they have not been eating (since certain meals were reserved for Christmas!), it was a good occasion. However, with time, and with the struggles that people continue to experience in Zimbabwe, Christmas now has a different feel to it. It might also be that l matured and became an adult, l don’t know. The main point though is that who we spend Christmas with, or how we celebrate, will be different to our neighbours or our loved ones, and this shows our different cultural diversity, as well as different personalities.
Does someone have to be Christian to celebrate Christmas, and do they need to spend Christmas in a “different” way? Or it will be the same with everyone else? I ask these questions especially during advent, since most of the time, Advent is about our own preparation, as individuals to the coming of our lord, and if he comes, we better be ready for him, so that He can make a dwelling place in our hearts. It might be that we have a crib which dwells in each of us, and now we have to think of what are we going to do, when he comes? What kind of reception or welcome are we going to give him?
These are all pertinent questions which we need to be aware of, and to make so that we might prepare for what comes ahead. One thing l have learnt is that when one is waiting, they do not lose focus on what they are doing but will wait with hope. As Christian disciples we know that our waiting is only for a season, and our Lord will be born, and we will be able to be happy once again, as He will be manifest in the world!
God bless you during this advent season!
Revd Ericcson T. Mapfumo