Advent: Shared Gifts...

Week Two: Gifts for God's People...

These are the appointed festivals of the Lord, which you shall celebrate as times of holy convocation, for presenting to the Lord offerings by fire--burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings, each on its proper day--apart from the sabbaths of the Lord, and apart from your gifts, and apart from all your votive offerings [offerings in fulfillment of a vow], and apart from all your freewill offerings, which you give to the Lord.
Leviticus 23:37-38

I don’t remember reading this verse before. Leviticus is not a book I sink into for comfort or inspiration. But as I was searching what the biblical text says about the gifts we bring to God, this one grabbed me.

The appointed festivals, times of holy gathering and special worship, are an important part of the worship practice of the people of God. But they are only part of the gift-giving practice. They are occasional and special...a strong connection to this time of the year when we gather to “green” the church and bring our special things out to play. These festivals are not, however, the norm.

Leviticus reminds us that most of our gifts are given outside of special occasions. These are the gifts that Bo and Marion Stephenson share:

God has blessed us over the years with many good friends and family members that we think about, especially at this special time of the year. They gift us with support as we live with our daughter, Kathy’s, struggle with illness and successful transition to becoming more independent--living on her own, caring for her own needs, and making good decisions.

Kathy’s brother has also gifted us and her with relationship and support. We truly feel totally blessed.

Gifts shared at festival times are special and meaningful. But the gifts that get us through the dark places, through the daily struggles, through the real work of life, are the gifts that are “apart.” They are given apart from the special times...in the daily routine of life. They are the gifts we make because of our promise to serve God, the gifts we bring every day when we do the smallest of things in service to our great God.

Perhaps that is the true miracle of gifts given. The smallest gift is as significant in bringing grace to each other as the largest festival event. That is, truly, good news.

For the tiny, transformative gifts that change our world, we give you thanks. Amen.