What Could Be My Gift to Christ?

During Christmas, there are many hymns that talk about the gift of Christ’s birth. I have been thinking about what my gift to Christ could be.

We were listening to Christmas music last night as we decorated the tree. Our playlist has O Holy Night by the Millenial Choirs & Orchestras. The words of O Little Town of Bethlehem were sung. “How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given.” Heavenly Father has given me his Son, and He has given me His life. He had given me my life! What could I give back? What be my gift to my Heavenly Father, my gift to Christ?

I sang with my Stake Choir “What Shall We Give?” It was an awful song. Tummy tum tummy tum? What kind of lyrics are those? Then we got to the last verse,

What shall we give to the Lamb who was offered,
Rising the third day and shedding His love?
Tears for His mercy we’ll weep at the manger,
Bathing the Infant come down from above.

It stuck with me a while. What would I give to the Lamb who was offered? What could be my gift to Christ? I have pondered it again and again. I probably even “ponderized” it before it was a thing. There were three sources that have helped me come to a determination of my gift to Christ during this Christmas.

The Little Drummer Boy

My Grandpa Jack hated this song. I think it is because David Bowie ruined it for him. I can understand that a bit. It is another song where you sing sounds. We almost gloss over the message is we aren’t really listening to the words. Again, there is deep meaning in the words to the song.

I have no gift to bring, that’s fit to give a king…
I played my drum for him, I played my best for him.

It wasn’t the fact that he had the little drummer boy played his drum for the Christ Child. His gift was his best. What could my gift to Christ be that would be the best of myself?

The Madera Spanish Ward

In a Mormon Message a few years ago, there is a message about the Madera Spanish Ward and their assignment to prune in a vineyard for The Church. The only day off that had off in a month, and the only day they would have off in the month to come, was Christmas Day. So they used that day to fulfill their assignment. My initial reaction way, why ask these members to serve? Surely someone less burdened could cut back the vines on a more suitable day. I was humbled by one of the saint’s response.

We’re doing this for El Nino Dios, for Jesus. After all the blessings that we received, what a great present it is to give Him something of our time on this day.

These Saints spend every Christmas working in His vineyard. “They come here to make an offering to The Lord.” What could I offer to be my gift to Christ?

They Went About Doing Good

A few years ago the Mormon Tabernacle made a music video for “What Shall We Give?” The video shows a father and his two sons trying to get home for Christmas. (It also shows one of the most Christlike men I know at the 4:24 mark) As they travel, they repeatedly discover people in need. Each time they see them they stop, they give. The impression that came to me was how they were emulating their Savior as they “went about doing good.” (Acts 10:38)

What Could Be My Gift to Christ?

The common thread I see through these examples was that they acted as Jesus Christ would act. A man I admire would say, when referring to service in the Priesthood, “Jesus Christ couldn’t make it, so he sent me in His place.” While the first half of the statement has a bit of levity, the second half is pure doctrine. During the Christmas season, my gift to Christ is to be His ambassador; to “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.” (D&C 81:5) My gift to Christ will be to pray every morning for opportunities to be placed in my way and have the courage to act on them. In doing this, I hope to share the light of Christ with others.