Gifting, giving, and the greatest Gift

And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. 

And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6-7)

I don't think we can imagine a more humble scene. I have seven children, and I certainly would not have wanted to give birth in a barn. I also wanted something better than a feeding trough for a cradle for them.

But God, in His humility, chose this scenario, and Mary's YES to the angel reached even there, even to that homelessness and poverty and insecurity.It's something of an oxymoron that God came in the depths of poverty and our celebration of that has become the pinnacle of consumerism.How can we correct this? Can we mitigate that a bit?Certainly, we give gifts in celebration of the greatest Gift, which is Christ Himself. But can we do some things to move in a direction that takes the focus off the gifts and shifts the light toward Christ in some way? This is a way to be counter-cultural, which can be difficult.In my mind, I distinguish between “GIFTING” (which is about the gifts) and "GIVING” (which is about the giver, about self-donation). I'm going to be bold and make a suggestion to consider:In a world that enshrines luxury and cutting edge technology and sheer abundance, particularly in holiday GIFTING, we need to give ourselves permission to MINIMIZE, INTENTIONALIZE,  and even SPIRITUALIZE  our Christmas GIVING.This is a small but mighty way to shift attention to the real “reason for the season” and turn the tide on what Christmas has become in the First World. And it takes a fair amount of courage and humility.Humility is the theme of the season, isn't it? I mean, Jesus, King of endless glory, slips quietly into our world in the dark, in the cold, unnoticed. He comes into this world in a stable, with no one paying any attention. He is helpless, wrapped tightly to prevent movement of His arms and legs, and laid in an animals' feeding trough.What? It makes no sense. It's preposterous, really. Which is why it is the perfect sign of the Eucharist.Bethlehem is the hometown of King David, of course, but it's worth noting that the name means "House of Bread." So, in the city of David, named "House of Bread," the Enfleshed Word of God, Who will later declare, "MY FLESH IS FOOD INDEED," is laid in a feeding trough.This is how the Lord comes to us - as FOOD, which nourishes life and provides comfort and community. In the Eucharist, the King of kings and Lord of lords comes to us in our poverty helpless Himself, so small and fragile that a sneeze might send Him sailing right across the floor. And who would know the difference? Who would pay attention?When we look at that helpless newborn in a manger, let's not forget that He is coming to give Himself as Gift to us so that we can encounter him fully. He is coming to us to sustain us, to nourish us, to help us grow into HIM, so that we become one with Him just as food becomes part of us.This Christmas, let's remember that the greatest Gift, the Eucharist, begins right there in the manger.