PASTOR'S PERSPECTIVE: WHEN GOD WENT CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

In less than four weeks we will celebrate one of the biggest and most important events of Christianity, the birth of God's son, Jesus Christ. Between now and then many of us will spend a lot of time, energy and money shopping for Christmas gifts for our families, friends and loved ones.

If you're like me, you pride yourself upon the selection of the gifts you purchase. I want people to be excited and pleased with their gift. It must be the PERFECT gift, one that fits right, is the perfect color and just what the person wanted. I don't want the gifts I give to be exchanged because I made a mistake.

While many people have made Christmas a "commercial enterprise" by seeing how much they can "cash in" during the holiday season, for Christians it still remains a sacred reminder of God's love for the world and mankind. You see, God instituted Christmas and was the very first one to shop for a present. He too wanted to give the "perfect" gift. Let's consider what God did as he "shopped" for his gift for the world.

First of all, God shopped early. He didn't wait for the last minute to select his gift.

Many of us wait for Christmas Eve to purchase gifts. My father-in-law always purchases his gift for my mother-in-law on Christmas Eve. By then, however, the merchandise has been picked over and all the "good stuff" is gone.

If you wait, you may end up buying the wrong size or color or even something the person doesn't want. Ephesians 1:4 says "... He chose us in him before the foundation of the world." God knew what we needed and made provision for us before it was too late.

Secondly, God chose wisely. Wise shoppers know exactly what they want and where to find it at the best possible price. By choosing wisely they save themselves time by not needing to exchange their gifts. God's gift didn't need to be exchanged. In fact, his gift was a one-of-a-kind priceless treasure. It was a gift all could benefit from and one everybody badly needed.

Hebrews 10:10 says, "...We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus once for all." His gift was a "one size fits all" gift.

Thirdly, God delivered his gift. He didn't deliver his gift via Fed Ex or UPS. He personally delivered his gift through his son, Jesus Christ. Galatians 4:4 says, "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his son, born of a woman."

The greatest joy in giving gifts is to personally present the gift to the person. Just to see the expression on their face makes it worth it all. God's angels rejoice when we receive his gift!

Fourthly, God wrapped his gift. Gift wrapping is not one of my talents. By the time I'm finished wrapping a gift it would have been better not to have wrapped it at all. I know this isn't politically correct, but I really believe women have the talent for wrapping gifts. I mean, the ladies in the mall do such a wonderful job wrapping gifts. As far as I'm concerned, it's money well spent.

God didn't wrap his gift with colorful and bright wrapping paper. He did, however, wrap it. And even God had a woman wrap his gift. Luke 2:7 says, "And she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger." Even more importantly, he wrapped his gift in something much more meaningful, LOVE.

Lastly, God labeled his gift. Who doesn't run to the Christmas tree, pick up the gifts and look at the name labels on them, just hoping to see their name? All of us do!

My wife's grandfather seldom bought his wife a gift for Christmas, so she would select and buy gifts for herself. She would wrap them in beautiful Christmas paper and put them under the tree. But before she placed them under the tree, she would put name labels on them that read: To Lorene, from Lorene.

God knew from the beginning who was to receive his gift. He didn't want any mistakes make when it came to who should receive it. He clearly labeled his gift: To whoever. John 3:16 says," For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten sons, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life." That whoever is the whole world. God's gift is intended for all of mankind to receive.

You see, while people may try to take the true meaning out of Christmas by attempting to make it a commercial enterprise, we can still find it's meaning in the midst of the hustle and bustle of shopping. We were not the first ones to go Christmas shopping.

God was the first to do so nearly 2,000 years ago. As you begin your Christmas season this year, why not recall these few reminders of what happened when God went Christmas shopping and remember to keep Christ in your Christmas.

Christmas blessings on you all.

The Rev. Randy Cartwright is the senior associate pastor at First Assembly of God Church in Cape Girardeau.