Christmas

When our Lord instituted this observance, he said, “This is my body that is given for you”; this is my blood that is given for you” (1 Corinthians 11:24, etc.). No one took it from him; he gave it willingly (John 10:18). And it did not just happen; he did it deliberately for a reason—for us.

This most notable feature of the Messiah’s coming is still reflected in the secular Christmas season, even among people who are not in close connection with the meaning of the celebration. They give gifts—like the Magi, who gave gifts, like God himself who gave his Son into the world and gave his only Son in Jerusalem at the end of the life that began in Bethlehem.

Even more significantly, that Son gave himself so we could benefit from his doing so. We are doing two things here: we’re accept that gift—something we could not otherwise have. Then we’re giving ourselves to do likewise—for other people.