Merry Christmas! I pray that you have had a blessed and happy celebration.

This week, let us reflect on the topic of gifts, as that seems to be the focus of the holiday season. Before Christmas we may have worried about finding the right gift, the appropriate gift for the people in our lives. And then comes Christmas Day, the time for us to actually exchange the gifts. We get to see how well we have done, and what others have shared with us.

But the truth of the matter is that sometimes we give a gift, or receive a gift that falls flat. The excitement and anticipation turn into a let down. We may smile and say thank you, appreciating that someone has wanted to give us a gift as a sign of love. But we know that as soon as we can, it will be exchanged, re-gifted, or perhaps even donated to the Thrift Shop.

But the original reason for Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the gift of God’s self to us and all of creation. This is a gift that cannot be returned. The presence of Jesus in our world offers us hope and love throughout our lives. The gift of Jesus Christ is salvation that is given to all creation, life ever-lasting with God. So as you may go about your post-Christmas returns, think about the gift of Christ and how you are valuing that gift in your life.

Remember, if you leave Christ out of Christmas, all you are left with is a “miss.”

? Pastor Benson is the pastor at the United Methodist Church in John Day and Prairie City.