Asking children what Christmas is about often produces the answer, "Presents!" The excitement and anticipation of the little ones often builds in proportion to the growth in the size of the pile of packages underneath the Christmas tree.

Regardless of our dis-satisfaction with the "commercialization" of the season, the giving and receiving of gifts is a central focus for many in the celebration of Christmas. There is joy in watching a child open packages, or in remembering our own childhood experiences around the Christmas tree. In recalling my own, the parcels which produced the most satisfaction were those which provided the tools to make or build something.

Among the favourites for young children today are brightly-coloured Lego blocks. A good-sized collection of Lego blocks in assorted sizes, shapes, and colours provides the potential for constructing all sorts of different creations. A child’s imagination is usually very broad. Houses, cars, garages, towers, and all sorts of other interesting and attractive items are rapidly put together. When several children get together to play, no one can predict what wild and wonderful creations will emerge.

As we seek to focus on the deeper meaning of Christmas, and to place the receiving of gifts in the context of God’s gift to us of Jesus Christ, I am reminded of a few verses in I Corinthians:

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all ... (I Corinthians 12: 4-6, NIV)

The gifts God gives through the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers provide the church with a wonderful collection of building blocks. We have the tools and the potential to build all sorts of different creations. When we come together as members of Christ’s body, we can assist one another to use our gifts in creative and complementary ways to do all sorts of things in ministry and service for Jesus Christ.

This is the best sort of Christmas celebration -- and one that is designed to go on all year long!

May God enable us to unwrap the gifts He has given each of us, and, inspired by the children’s joy and enthusiasm, build with them Christ’s church in our midst.

In Christ, and looking forward to what we will build together,

Your pastor,

James T. Hurd.