The Sufficient Gift
Many lists of gifting trends and ideas are floating around this time of year. The hottest categories in 2024 include Tech gadgets and wearables, Sustainable/Eco-friendly gifts, Subscription boxes (streaming to fashion), Personalized gifts (jewelry, art, books), Health/Wellness oriented gifts, Experiential gifts, Home gadgets, and more. Have you ever considered how much gifting has changed through the years?
In 1924 the gift trends did not include Streaming Services, Amazon, Tech gadgets, and wearables. Health and Wellness wasn't a category though people naturally ate healthier. Popular gifts included toys/board games, clothing & accessories, books (with pages of paper and words), radios, home appliances (electric iron became more common in 1920), jewelry, pocket watches for men, wrist watches for women, leather goods, and hand-made crafts.
Personal gifting trends have and will continue to change and evolve along with technology and tastes. What is enduring is the impulse to bless others and the joy of receiving gifts, especially those that are unexpected and undeserved. As we move into this Advent Season of anticipation for the coming of Jesus we are reminded not all gifts are equal.
What makes a great gift? The greatest gifts are thoughtful, rare, personalized, long-lasting, timely, and extravagantly gracious.
In John 6:22-40, had just fed the 5,000 with 5 loaves of bread and a couple of fish. Many people there listening to Jesus were more interested in Jesus doing miracles for them rather than who he was. Jesus had just told them that He was the Bread of Life. They did not think Jesus alone was enough for them. They wanted to know what gifts they could get from Jesus instead of seeing Jesus as the real gift.
"Do not work for the food [gifts] that perishes, but for the food [gift] that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you.” - John 6:27 (ESV)
This Sunday, we will focus on John 6:22-40. In particular, is the gift of Jesus enough? Is Jesus alone sufficient for you?