Published by NRT before Christmas edition   – titled by NR – Christmas Wishees

16 December 2015

 

What gift shall we give to Lord Jesus on his Birthday?

This is the question ( or similar to that) I saw last week on a Church sign post along Highway 17 near Deep River . It is a very pertinent question.   What can one offer to the son of God?

We ask or tend to know what our children (or family members and friends) want and buy gifts for them accordingly . How many of us know what Lord Jesus wants?

Many of us are not even followers of the religion that came about after arrival of Lord Jesus on this earth – some 2015 years ago.

However most of us know that Jesus preached and practiced – forgiveness , compassion and ” turn the other cheek ” if one gets belted (harmed);  amongst other things.

So what gift that goes with this persona which can be offered .

We can be compassionate – like gifting to a Food Bank or   children needing support or working to uplift poor societies in the world or warming up to a refugee family (coming from strife torn parts of the world) and for other similar opportunities.   The gift which enthuses compassion shows a semblance of spirituality commensurate with what Jesus exemplified.

Gifting is easier if we can afford it and such fortunate people giving gifts need to be commended but   any gift given by those who do go beyond their means are really going an extra mile for observing what Jesus would want.

Being neighborly, fair , respectful   and helpful to all around you – no matter what part of the world the neighbor has come from – is also a good form of a gift to Jesus and humanity – without actually parting with any tangible resources.

A smile is   a great gift – uplifting the human spirit at all times.

A care for all animals (wild and domestic) , plants and environment shows compassionate attitude and a good solid understanding of Lord Jesus’ teachings.

Forgiveness requires a  lot of spiritual strength and maturity.

At his crucifixion,     Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”              What a noble and forgiving outpouring – even when he was tortured and teased. This is the epitome of forgiveness.

Each one of   us will make Jesus very happy if we can bring ourselves to forgive first ourselves and then our own family members, friends and even strangers (for perceived real or imaginary pain and distress).

Glory be ! There will be peace within oneself and peace around   .   What a noble gift that one can offer and which can bring forth manifold returns in one’s life.

Can one muster up resolve for such a gift of forgiveness !   One needs to meditate and determine what one wants from life on this earth.

The most difficult  to follow   is the teaching of ” turn the other cheek ” if one takes the literal meaning – of being passive and submissive.

Depending on the context and situation there is an important implication in this profound saying attributed to Lord Jesus.

There are cantankerous family members and friends ( and also strangers)   with short tempers . Road rage is an example .   In this situation , it is better not to respond aggressively or violently but keep calm and the situation restores to some kind of normal state . Of course this will need to be followed by forgiveness ( showing mercy) and forgetting the incident.

In a situation where a violent attack happens, that situation may need to be corrected by neutralizing the attacker(s) but the urge to implicate/denounce   the whole section of a cultural group for such an attack needs to be avoided – as human beings are individuals and each one can have a different spiritual and emotional bearing.

Where feasible, a non-violent means of resolving a conflict   is the best way to respond to any affront.

Violence begets violence and societies (of victors and of defeated) get all chewed up and lot of suffering entails to all .

A good conduct and forbearance may yield desired fruit of repentance and change in opponents.

Wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays ! with a counsel to think about what one can do/act which is a much valued gift to the son of God on the eve of the 2015 Christmas celebration.

 

regards

Pravin Shah

65 Rutherford Av.

Box 2033

Deep River, ON

K0J 1P0

Phone: 613-584-4469