Fr. Frank Majka, SJ – The Bridge

The Gift in Three Parts

Christmas is about the gift that God gives us in Jesus, his Son —- God’s great Christmas present. And like any Christmas gift, it is given and received in three stages.

First, the giver selects something he or she thinks will express the giver’s affection, esteem, or love for the person receiving it. Two thousand years ago, God chose to give us his only Son to be one of us. He could give no better gift.

Then the person being given the gift has to accept it, unpack it or otherwise open it and see how to use it or enjoy it. So, we have to unwrap the gift that is Jesus, examine its value and beauty —- a process that may take time, perhaps years, perhaps even a lifetime, to accomplish.

The last and final stage is that we who receive the gift that is Jesus need to say to God a sincere “Thank You!” that’s not just words but truly comes from the heart and influences all our choices and relationships going forward, thus becoming a gift that keeps on giving.

Merry Christmas!