It’s Christmas Season 2024. Wow! This past year sure went fast. Let’s take a little trip down memory lane. Here are some of the top Christmas gifts through the years.
- Buzz Lightyear (1995)
- Hot Wheels (1968)
- Furby (1998)
- Cabbage Patch Kids (1992)
- Game Boy (1989)
- Barbie (1958)
- Rubik’s Cube (1974)
- Lego’s (1932)
- Mr. Potato Head (1952)
- Etch-a-Sketch (1960)
Did you know that there have been more than 6 billion Hot Wheels cars sold since 1968? And Mattel estimates that over a billion Barbie dolls have been sold, with a vintage 1950 Barbie being worth over $25,000. Also, I was surprised to know that LEGO’s have been around for 90 years, and that they are the largest toy manufacturer in the world by sales. Over 1.1 trillion LEGO pieces have been produced. That’s enough for every adult and child worldwide to have 140 pieces. Wow!
A VALUBLE LESSON
Winters are so much fun when you are a kid (not so much for me anymore 😊) In my small hometown of Leeds, ND, I pretty much had the whole town as my play yard. At the age of 9, you would most likely find me at the skating rink, especially on weekends or during Christmas Vacation. The only problem that year, was that I had outgrown my ice skates.
So, for Christmas that year, I had made it well known to my parents that I wanted a brand-new pair of ice skates. I even cut out pictures of ice skates from the Sears Christmas catalog and taped them on the wall. And when the local newspaper came with a sales flyer from Gerrells Sporting Goods, I circled the skates and rushed the flyer into my mom’s hands.
A little over a week before Christmas my family was shopping, and we stopped at Gerrells. Could it be—I wondered—if I was going to get my Christmas gift early? Right away, I spotted all the ice skates along the back wall. Sure enough, we went right over to that area where a store clerk met us and asked my mom if she needed any help. My mom replied, “I just want to have my boy sized for a pair of ice skates.” The man measured my feet and brought out several boxes for me to try on. “Could this really be happening?” I was so excited. And then my mom reiterated that we were just checking for size and seeing what was available. She told the salesclerk “Thank you,” and I think she may have winked or something (not sure on that part) 😊, and we went home.
Every day leading up until Christmas Eve, I looked under the Christmas tree for a wrapped gift that had my name on it and was also the same size box as I had seen in Gerrells Sporting Goods. Christmas vacation had already started, and my friends were already enjoying the skating/hockey rink without me. Then finally, on the afternoon of Christmas Eve, I saw the box under the tree with my name on the tag. I was so excited. I knew all the Christmas family traditions and would have to be patient. First candle-light church service, then Christmas Eve supper, my dad the reading of the Christmas Story from the Bible, and then…then, we could open gifts. And I would be skating in my new skates in the morning…or maybe I could even talk my parents into letting me skate that night.
Finally, it was time. The box was placed on my lap. I had a grin from ear to ear as all eyes in the room were on me about to open my brand-new skates. But as the wrapping paper came off, my huge grin slowly went flat, and my eyebrows dropped about an inch. Why? Because the picture on the box was of a little girl wearing tiny white figure skates. I thought, “What…No, no, no!”! But sure enough, as I opened the box, they were indeed white little girls figure skates. “Is this a joke,” I shouted. To which my mom said, “I’m sorry Mark, but they didn’t have your size. We will have to return those to the store when they get your size shipped in.” To which I responded, “But…but I already tried them on in the store. I know they had my size.” Then my mom simply said, “I’m sorry, you will just have to wait.”
I shouted, “I can’t wait… I WON’T wait! How could you let this happen?” and I stormed off to my bedroom, crying. My mom gave me some time and then came and sat on my bed. I asked why she did not purchase the skates on the day that we were in the store. To which my mom explained that my dad, who was a life insurance salesman, had been waiting to get paid for a commission. And his check did not arrive until the day prior to Christmas Eve.
But do you think I understood that? No, I completely refused to even try to understand that. Furthermore, I stormed out of my room to find my dad, where I proceeded to complain that I would not be able to play hockey at the skating rink with the rest of my friends. All because he didn’t have the money to pay for my skates on the day that I had been in the store with my mom. I remember the look on my dad’s face. He wasn’t upset with me, although he had every right to be for the selfish way I was acting. No, he just looked very sad…almost crushed. He didn’t even say a word. At that moment, I realized that he was probably feeing exactly the way I was wanting him to feel. I didn’t know how to handle the emotions, so I just ran off.
To this day, I can still picture they look on my dad’s face. It’s something I will always remember. I can’t remember what I got for Christmas the year before or even the year after that, but I sure remember that Christmas and how I was such a little self-centered brat. I was determined to make that Christmas all about me.
I wonder how many similar “what about me” Christmas stories there are around the world each year? And how often we all might have the tendency to focus on giving or receiving the perfect Christmas gift, while totally missing the true meaning of WHY we celebrate Christmas, even in our exchanging of gifts. I wonder how many parents or grandparents grew up hearing the Biblical account of the first Christmas, but have failed to carry the story over to the next generation? The birth of Jesus is truly the most incredible gift of all time. Additionally, God offers the free gift of eternal salvation through receiving the gift of His son Jesus. Now that’s a gift worthy of mentioning!
THE FIRST CHRISTMAS
Like a lot of you, I grew-up hearing the Christmas story as told from the Bible. As a child, I remember acting out a live nativity scene in Sunday School. Did you know that the word nativity is Latin, and basically means “to be born.” Beginning around the 14th Century we started to attach the word to the birth of Jesus, and nativity has since become almost exclusively understood in that manner. Anyway, I understood from an early age that the baby Jesus was born in a stable where the animals were kept, but at the time I didn’t totally understand why.
I have also been particularly curious about the significance of the wise men who came bearing gifts for baby Jesus. They brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Since childhood, I have always thought those were strange gifts to bring, right? They certainly would not make the top 10 by today’s standards.
Interestingly, according to the Bible, the wise men (also called Magi) were actually not present at the manger scene as is so often portrayed in nativity sets. They in fact arrived at a “house” to visit Jesus (Matt 2:11), indicating they came sometime after his birth, possibly even a couple of years later, not at manger scene in Bethlehem. There is some added support to this timing, but still these guys do play a significant role in the Christmas story and continue to be present in our reenactment of the nativity. So, I guess I’m Ok with them being presented there by the stable. Don’t worry neighbors…I’m not going to run into your yard and push over your 3 kings 😊.
The Magi were a class of scholars in Persia who were especially interested in astronomy, science, and prophecy. It is thought that the Magi knew of the prophet Daniel’s vision about the Christ through the angel Gabriel (who also appears in many nativity scenes). The Magi were ready and alert for the sign of a star to guide them. They also knew that that this child would one day be their Deliver and even greater, the Ruler of all Nations. The gifts they brought needed to reflect the esteem and awe that they felt towards this King/Messiah.
These valuable items were gifts to honor a king or deity in the ancient world: gold as a precious metal, frankincense as perfume or incense, and myrrh as anointing oil. These were not little gift-wrapped boxes with tidy little red bows…They were likely large, well-protected chests “Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11). Scholars think that these three were chosen not only for their high value at that time, but for their special spiritual symbolism about Jesus himself—gold representing his kingship, frankincense a symbol of his priestly role, and myrrh a prefiguring of his sacrificial death.
THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL TIME
Why was Jesus born in a stable and not a palace? Afterall, this was God’s plan…He set this whole arrangement up. Jesus certainly could have born in a palace with all of the glory and riches of the world surrounding Him. Why was the Savior of the world born amongst the stink and filth of barn animals? Why were the only witnesses His family, the animals, and shepherds, the lowest people on the social ladder in Israel at the time?
The Bible states that there was no room for Mary and Joseph in the inn in Bethlehem. The manger was a practical solution to the overcrowding in the inn. The manger was also sign—When the angel appeared to the shepherds in the field to invite them to visit the newborn King, he told them to look for a baby in a manger. The manger wasn’t just a sign for the shepherds; it’s a sign to all of us that Jesus is accessible to everyone who seeks Him. The shepherds would not have had access to a baby born in a royal palace, and as strangers, they probably wouldn’t even have had access to a baby born in the confines of a family home. But a manger was accessible to all—and still is.
Mary’s delivery room was not sterile. There is probably not a lower place on earth for the baby to be born than in a stable in a small town in a tiny country in the backwater of the Roman Empire. This is exactly the point. No one is excluded from a stable. The shepherds on the night of Jesus birth were considered to be the lowest member of society. They were viewed with disgust by the finer people. They were never welcome in palaces or great houses. They were perfectly at home where Jesus was born.
The nativity and manger scene is incredibly significant to all people. Because, no matter where we are at this moment, where we were born, or how lost we have become, He makes the same offer today. “Come to Me everyone,” Jesus says. The offer is available to everyone, everywhere, any time. Jesus can relate to everyone, and invites all to come, just as they are.
THE GIFT OF SALVATION
I get readers from countries and backgrounds all over the world. In the last couple weeks, I’ve been getting hits again on my Christmas time blogs from previous years. People everywhere are interested in the Christmas message. Jesus is known as the Savior of the World. The word “savior” and “salvation” are used synonymously and are central to Christianity. Salvation is truly at the center of why we celebrate Christmas.
Salvation is a term or word that is sometimes used very loosely in our western culture. But this Latin derived word basically means to be saved from a dire situation. In Biblical theology salvation refers to the deliverance of the soul from eternal punishment and separation from God. It is therefore the most precious gift one can ever obtain.
Contrary to what many believe, no one can earn salvation. Many believe that once they die, that there is somehow a scale or balance that will tip in their favor if they have basically been a good person. That’s a nice thought, the problem is that it is totally unscriptural. In fact, no one can ever be good enough to earn salvation—it is a gift. (see Ephesians 2:8-9). This gift, however, was purchased at a very high price. It was paid for with the blood of Jesus as He willingly laid down His life as a sacrificial gift to all who will call on His name (see 1 Peter 1:18-19, John 3:16). Therefore, it is only by the grace of God that we may be saved.
The Bible states that all one must do is to receive this gift by faith. Then believe by putting one’s trust in Jesus (Romans 1:16). This faith involves personal repentance coupled with dependence and trust in Jesus (see Acts 3:19, Romans 10:9-10, 13). Basically, this means that we recognize that trying to control our on own life is futile, and that we want Jesus to take over. Just talk to Him. Once this occurs, we are justified by His grace—signifying the relief from the burden of sin. (See 3:24). What an amazing gift! There truly is no greater gift, and it is 100% free.
Maybe you are a regular reader of seeyouintheriver.com, or you like many others just popped-in through a search. I realize some readers are from countries where the Biblical account of the Christmas story has not even been allowed to be told or repeated publicly. I encourage you to read about it in the Bible. You can find that the Christmas story in both the gospel of Luke, Chapter 2, and in Matthew 1:18-2:23.
Perhaps there are others of you that just needed a reminder today of the fact that God loves you so much, that He not only made a way for you to know Him through His son Jesus Christ, but that He also has an awesome plan for your life. Regardless of who you are, where you are from, or what you have done, I encourage you to reach out and receive the free gift of His love today.
From our home to yours—Merry Christmas!
Blest by The Best,
Mark and Tracy
His name is Jesus, He is Emmanuel (God with us).
We would love to hear from you 😊
See You in the River 