Dictionary.com defines regift as the following – “to give an unwanted gift to someone
else; to give as
a gift something one previously received as a gift.”
If you think about it, every
year in December the church goes about the business of regifting Jesus
Christ. We “reopen” the scriptures and
are reminded of this account of the Virgin Mary and her fiancé, Joseph,
traveling to Bethlehem for the census.
They are welcomed to town with the knowledge that there is no room in
the inn and are ushered to a stable, a cliff cave, where they spend the night bringing
the God child, this Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace into the
world. Shepherds come and behold the
child and a year or so later Magi come bearing gifts. Each year the church recounts this narrative,
”unwraps” this story, if you will, in hopes that people everywhere will be
touched by the gift of God coming to Earth in the form of a child, a “Savior,
which is Christ, the Lord.”
But culture seems to regift this
narrative the way the first part of the above definition expresses it, as an “unwanted
gift” we’ve received that we need to give to someone else, but in a much more
attractive, prettier package. Culture
seems to think this story of a virgin and a manger is very sweet and quaint yet
views it just as that a story that doesn’t deeply change a person to be
different all the time, just to be generous for a season and continue back into
the same old routine after its done.
Also, culture feels the need to commercialize and propagandize this time
of year that is based on this story of humble beginnings so causing many to feel
Christmas has to look and feel a certain way for it to really be Christmas. Culture says let’s regift this time of year
so everyone is engrained to think from childhood more about what will be received
than what God has given or what people will give. Culture pushes us to make it about the
perfect food and the perfect décor which seems to overshadow this narrative
about God and Savior and humble beginnings in a manger. Culture says “let’s put a big red bow and lots
of evergreen on it to spruce up the whole thing.” Plus the other version doesn’t profit Culture
as much as Santa, Norman Rockwell, TV Christmas specials and the perfect Hallmark
Ornament on the Christmas tree does.
Culture says “now doesn’t that humble narrative about baby Jesus look
better after it’s been regifted to you in this nice pretty package?”
But God says “Nope, it looks
perfect just the way I packaged it."
He says "I’m OK with your family traditions, your exchanging of presents, your parties and
programs, but what matters most to Me is that you take this gift of my Son,
Jesus, and accept Him. Accept and trust my
promise to you and then regift Him in the new life I have given you, in the
Spirit I have given you, in the gifts and abilities I have given you, in the
time and resources I have given you, so that more people would receive this
gift and My Kingdom would grow on Earth as it is in Heaven.”
You see, from God’s point of
view, regifting is more like the second part of the definition “to give as a
gift something one previously received as a gift.” In our minds “regifting” may
have a somewhat negative connotation but for God, regifting is what Christmas is all about. This is what Jesus coming to the Earth is all
about.
This Christmas try not to worry about what culture tells you
and don’t be afraid to say a resounding “yes” to regifting in the way God
intended.
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given;And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)
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