It’s about time to get out amidst the craziness and start buying Christmas presents. We’ve negotiated with some family members (“let’s not give presents this year. We won’t if you won’t!”), but still, we will end up with a sizeable stockpile.
I read some depressing statistics the other day. Aussie shoppers spent an estimated $8.36 billion on Christmas gifts in 2008 (Choice Magazine). And, many of the presents are not wanted or useless. 19 million unwanted Christmas gifts nationwide, are discarded, given away or sold on websites (eBay, 2007).
What’s the best present that you can give? I want to give something that is wanted and kept, and shows I’ve thought. I want to give something that’s good quality, appreciated, and useful. If you can, it’s good to give presents that are not fuel to our materialistic side. Presents like a pass to the zoo, or a ferry trip. These get us out together and help build relationships.
More and more organisations (CMS, World Vision, Christian Blind Mission) have catalogues now where you buy something for someone else. Instead of being left swimming in a sea of gift wrap and unwanted presents on Boxing Day, you could buy a duck for a family in Myanmar, or a bicycle for a teacher in Tanzania, or missionary for a day on the field. These are fantastic presents. These work when we ask that they be bought for us, so maybe you need to ask that someone do this for you.
One reason why it is tough to find a good present is because we already have everything we need! Or do we? God has the perfect gift for us, and many people don’t have it at all. God thought and planned it perfectly. Tragically we didn’t appreciate it, and the world rejected the Son of God, even in his first few days. But praise God that he knows what we need, and didn’t take no for an answer. He gives us time to change our mind. Have you accepted God’s gift? It is a gift that never spoils, and can never be taken away. (Andrew)