As
Christmas is upon us, it seems appropriate to read, A Brief Theology of
Christmas Presents by Douglas Wilson.
Wilson
argues that one must consider the nature of gifts, the nature of giving, the
nature of receiving, and the goodness of the material world to arrive at the
title’s goal.
First,
the nature of gifts is found in grace (5) and giving fills a need and results
in thanksgiving (7). The ground of all generosity – of all gift-giving – is the
giving of God the Son to us in the Incarnation (8).
Wilson
says there are three categories of gifts:
the tithe – the ten percent of one’s gross income that God requires,
offerings – gifts above the required ten percent, and celebrations (10). Christmas
gifts are part of the third category.
One
does not give to get, rather, we give gifts on order to be able to give more
(13). God gives more for giving to those who give. God does not pay off someone
with more for oneself for giving.
Second,
the nature of giving is understood in Jesus’ saying that it is more blessed to
give that to receive” (20). To be blessed, Wilson points out, is to receive. Therefore,
in giving, one receives from God “a blessing given by another” (21). Thus, the
nature of giving is the desire to receive nothing for the giving except to have
been obedient to God. “To be blessed in giving is to be a receiver” (30).
Third,
the nature of receiving involves “giving to get to give some more” (32). Being
a true receive is done in humility and equips the receiver to give more (38). Receiving
is not about pride and hoarding but being made able to give more.
Fourth,
to see any good in gifts, one must acknowledge that the world – the material
world is good. God created the material world good, and God the Son incarnate
and remains forever a real, material human being. Thus, the material world must
be good (44).
The
theology of Christmas presents, therefore, is – by example of the giving of
Jesus Christ – the giving of celebratory gifts is good – the giving of material
gifts is good. The giving of gifts is not part of a quid pro quo but giving only
to receive the blessing from God. In receiving from God and from others, one is
prepared to thankfully give more.
Gifts
rightly given at Christmas reflect Who Jesus is, that He remains human, so the
world is good, and that gifts prepare the giving and the receiver to give more to
the glory of Christ.
[This
review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com].