The Richest Poorest Christmas by Martin Wiles

While I don’t remember my first few Christmases, the pictures tell stories of abundance.

For four years, I reveled in the privilege of being the first grandchild on my father’s side. This meant spoiling to the hilt, and my grandmother and parents did a wonderful job. Presents poured from underneath the tree, and many stood around it. Even after the other grandchildren arrived, my grandmother made sure we had rich Christmases.

My grandmother’s retirement ended her lush shopping sprees, but my mother took over. Presents once again spilled from under the tree and into the middle of the floor. Mom loved presents in multiples and enjoyed watching the children and grandchildren squander hours opening them. 

Since Mom’s retired, Christmases are poorer. No one else in the family has the funds to spend for fleeting moments of cheesy grins and roaring laughter. Now we enjoy the simple wealth of gathering for a meal, catching up, and opening a few presents.

My grandmother and mother sacrificed to make us richer. So did Christ. You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich (II Corinthians 8:9 NLT).

Christmas is about celebrating the one true gift with an incalculable price tag. There’s no evidence Jesus lived in poverty, but he became poor by setting aside all he enjoyed in heaven to enter time and space. He took on human limitations which he’d never experienced. And all this so we might become rich by accepting his offer of salvation. Having all our sins forgiven-along with the hope of eternal life, makes every Christmas rich even if the gifts under the tree are meager. Are you celebrating the richness of Christ’s gift this Christmas?

Prayer: Eternal God, giver of great gifts, this Christmas season we celebrate receiving the presents of forgiveness and eternal life that began when You birthed Your Son in a manger and ended when You raised Him from the grave.