“How to Give Gifts to Christ,” New Era, Dec. 2012, 48
The spirit of Christmas puts in our hearts a desire to give joy to other people. The celebration of Christmas helps us keep our promise to always remember the Lord and His gifts to us. And that remembrance creates a desire in us to give gifts to Him.
He has told us what we could give Him to bring Him joy. First, we can, out of faith in Him, give a broken heart and a contrite spirit. We can repent and make sacred covenants with Him.
Second, you can give Him the gift of doing for others what He would do for them. There is a long list of possibilities in the book of Matthew. There we read words from our Redeemer, which we all hope to hear and to speak when we see Him after this life:
“Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
“When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
“Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:37–40).
In those words the Lord makes clear what gifts we might give Him out of our gratitude. Each act of kindness to anyone becomes a kindness to Him because He loves all of Heavenly Father’s children. And because that brings joy to Him, it also brings joy to His Father, to whom we owe thanks beyond measure.
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father and son in kitchen
Photo illustration by Christina Smith
Many of you will in the Christmas season find ways to give food to people who are hungry. As you do, you bring joy to the Lord. Yet He taught us that there is a way to give an even more priceless and lasting gift. He said, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). With all the kindnesses we give for Him, the greatest we can offer is to point those we love and serve toward Him, the only source of eternal life.
As someone deeply immersed in the understanding of the principles outlined in the provided article, it is clear that the author is addressing the profound spiritual aspects of gift-giving, specifically focused on giving to Christ during the Christmas season. My expertise in religious literature, particularly the doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, allows me to provide an insightful analysis of the concepts presented.
The article emphasizes the spirit of Christmas, highlighting the desire to bring joy to others, reflecting the teachings of Christ. It suggests that through the act of giving, individuals can fulfill the promise to always remember the Lord and express gratitude for His gifts. The central theme revolves around the idea of giving gifts to Christ and explores what actions would be most pleasing to Him.
The first concept introduced is the idea of giving a "broken heart and a contrite spirit" out of faith in Christ. This aligns with the principles of repentance and making sacred covenants, demonstrating a sincere commitment to spiritual growth and transformation.
The second concept is the notion of doing for others what Christ would do for them, drawing inspiration from the book of Matthew. The referenced verses (Matthew 25:37–40) illustrate the importance of acts of kindness and service, emphasizing that every act of goodness towards others is regarded as kindness to Christ Himself.
The article encourages readers to contemplate the ways they can give to Christ during the Christmas season. It particularly mentions acts of kindness such as providing food to the hungry, which, according to the teachings, brings joy to the Lord. However, it goes beyond material gifts, suggesting that the most priceless and lasting gift one can offer is to lead others to Christ. The quote from John 6:35 is employed to underscore the spiritual significance of pointing others toward Christ as the "bread of life" who satisfies eternal hunger and thirst.
In conclusion, the article beautifully intertwines the spirit of Christmas, the teachings of Christ, and the act of giving. It invites readers to reflect on the deeper, spiritual dimensions of gift-giving and underscores the notion that the greatest gift one can offer is to help others find and embrace the eternal life offered through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
