A gift cannot be bought
Arthur looked at his calendar and saw that December had arrived and that meant that Christmas was coming soon. Then he reflected on his recent misfortune. He now had no family to give gifts to or receive gifts from. He had no friends either. Well, not ones with whom he exchanged gifts. He realised that he wouldn’t be getting any gifts this Christmas and that made him sad. He did enjoy that about Christmas and he thought about what he would do this year.
After some thought Arthur decided he would just have to buy his own gifts, wrap them up and give them to himself. This year he would really get exactly what he wanted. So he chose a cheerful day and off he went to do his very own Christmas shoppping.
He was in his third shop and hadn’t seen anything he really wanted when another though struck him and made him sadder than ever. When is a gift not a gift? When you bought it yourself. It is the nature of a gift that it is given freely and cannot be bought. Poor Arthur. He walked out of that shop downcast, ready to give up on Christmas altogether, but as he came out onto the footpath someone gave him this booklet. Arthur walked quickly to the nearest parklet, sat down and read the booklet.
This is what Arthur read:
The Unopened Gift – Why Not Take a Look?
By Leslie Koh
Christmas wouldn’t be the same without the gifts. While feasting, shopping, and partying are popular activities during this period, one of the most traditional—and anticipated—events is the exchanging of gifts. To be precise, it is the unwrapping of beautifully-packaged boxes, either found under a Christmas tree, or presented in person by the giver.
Sometimes, you almost know what to expect: the usual box of chocolates or cookies, a toiletries kit, or a photo frame. But there are also times when there’s a nice surprise waiting for you: a gadget you’ve always wanted, or something handmade with the greatest love, from someone dearest to you.
If all the gifts were placed under a Christmas tree, you’d notice that more often than not, the biggest and prettiest get the most attention, especially from children. That’s because they appear to promise more. The more plain-looking ones tend to be opened last. But it’s rare for any gift to be completely ignored. Who knows what surprise it might contain?
Every Christmas, however, there remains one gift that many people don’t open. People either miss it or forget it’s there, possibly because it isn’t “glitzy” like all the other presents.
Yet this present could be the best of them all. It’s made just for you, and it’s been given by someone who knows exactly what you want and need. It’s always been there, waiting for you. And the good news is, after opening it up and taking a look inside, you don’t even have to accept it. You can still think it through.
Could we tell you a little more about this surprise Christmas gift?
What’s inside the Box?
Unlike the usual chocolates, trinkets, and accessories, this gift is custom-made, and it possesses some very special qualities.
It’s a gift beyond your wildest dreams. Imagine a man who was born blind receiving the gift of sight, such that he is able to see, for the first time, the faces of his loved ones, the colours and shapes of the world around him, and the sunlit path ahead. Or an abandoned child, who has never experienced comfort and love, being placed in a warm, cosy home with a caring family. Or a social outcast who finds a good friend or spouse that he can spend his life with. That’s what this surprise gift is about: it exceeds your highest expectations and it meets your deepest, innermost needs.
It’s a gift of enduring hope. Perhaps you feel trapped by an addiction to drugs or alcohol, fear of illness, worries over a crippling mortgage, or the stress of a difficult job. Whatever the challenges you face in life, and no matter how bad things appear, this gift offers you hope: the comfort that something can be done, and the assurance that someone absolutely dependable is walking alongside, giving you the strength to face the darkest, most dangerous times in your life.
It’s a gift of a fresh start. Perhaps you have made mistakes in life —wronged someone, done something shameful, or even committed a crime—and you regret your actions. Maybe you find yourself wishing everything could be fixed, that you could turn back the clock. No matter what you’ve done, this gift offers you a fresh start: forgiveness and the assurance that you can move on and live a life of integrity and character, freed from old guilt and shame.
It’s a gift of true satisfaction. A successful career, a comfortable home, academic distinction, athletic accomplishment, and popular acclaim—can any of these things bring lasting satisfaction? You may enjoy all the luxuries that today’s world can offer, or achieve everything you ever wanted to do, but still be left wondering: So what’s next? What is life really all about? Why am I here? Imagine a gift that can answer such questions and provide a proper perspective on things—that gives you a new sense of purpose and mission and shows you what is really worth living for.
It’s a gift that money can’t buy. Some gifts are priceless—a good relationship with a loved one, forgiveness from a relative who is angry with you, or the presence of a good friend in times of need. You may possess everything else in life, but still yearn for these things that money cannot buy. Relationships, reconciliation and companionship—all these can bring great joy and peace and make life worth living. So too can this special Christmas gift. It can’t be bought at a store, yet it brings more happiness than anything a shop has to offer.
It’s a gift from someone special. Sometimes, it doesn’t matter what the gift is, but who gave it to you. The most expensive gift in the world from a casual acquaintance can pale in comparison to a simple drawing from a favourite grandchild or a bunch of flowers from a spouse. The giver can make all the difference. And so it is with this special gift: it’s from someone who knows you and loves you deeply, and wants only the best for you.
By now, you might be thinking: This sounds like a great gift. Only it can’t possibly exist. No Christmas gift could do all that. It sounds too good to be true.
But here’s the real Christmas surprise: such a gift really does exist, and it has been there all this time. It’s a present you can open anytime—before Christmas, during Christmas, or after. We invite you to take a look inside, and consider accepting it.
This gift, however, doesn’t really come in a box, but in the form of a person—a very special person.
The Ultimate Christmas Gift
The true meaning of Christmas can be found in its very name, and that is also what our special surprise gift is all about.
Two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ was born—the very event celebrated by Christmas. He claimed to be the Son of God, the One who created the universe, the world, and all of us. Jesus came to show us the way to God, our Creator, who knows why we were created, and how we can best fulfill His purpose for us and live life to the fullest.
Through Jesus, we will come to know who our Creator is and experience the wonderful blessings He offers to us: the fulfillment of our deepest needs; enduring hope in desperate times; a fresh opportunity to live a life of integrity; true satisfaction, meaning, and direction in life; priceless joy and peace; and deep, unconditional love.
The best part of this Christmas gift is that we don’t need to have been “good” to receive it, unlike Santa’s presents. It is simply there for us to open and accept.
Why Not Take a Look?
Is this the gift you have been looking for? Does it sound like the perfect present you have always wanted? The good news is that it’s right there, waiting for you. You can tell God, your Creator, anytime, “Yes, I accept this gift. I want everything you offer.”
Or perhaps you’re interested in what this gift promises, but you’re not too sure if you really want to accept it. Maybe you’re worried about what would happen if you do. That’s fine too. But why not find out a little more about this gift, and see if it’s worth considering? Take a closer look at what this present has to offer, and discover for yourself if it is able to satisfy your deepest desires and your greatest needs.
Talk to a Christian friend and find out more about Jesus. You don’t have to wait till Christmas. This special, unopened gift is always waiting for you: just open it up, and take a look.
And so..
Arthur thought that this was the gift he really wanted. He hadn’t realised that there was someone else close to him who would give him a gift. He told God, “Yes, I accept this gift. I want everything you offer. I don’t think I have anything to give you, but if I have anything .. or me .. it’s all yours.” And it was as if God said, “Fair exchange – I’ll have you; you’ll have me.” And Arthur felt his sadness lift off and fade away to be replaced by contentment and deepening joy.
New sights and sounds caught his attention. Was that the sound of a trumpet? Is that a split in the sky? Never mind – he was ready whenever Christ might return. In the meantime Arthur knew this would be his best Christmas to date since he would share it with the One whose birthday it celebrated and he had received the best Christmas gift ever.