*Christmas, Gifts*
In his December 19, 2002 column in World magazine, Marvin Olasky wrote: "The emphasis on material gifts at Christmas may make us think of Christianity as just one more exchange religion: You do something for a god, who will then do something for you. Roman pagans 2,000 years ago. . . understood liberalitas, giving to please a recipient who will at some point please you. The smart set in ancient Rome thought it was better to give than to receive, because by clever giving to wealthy friends they could receive even more later on and they applied the same concept theologically, offering sacrifices as investments.
"Christians, though, practiced caritas, help to the economically poor without expectation of anything in return. They did that to imitate Christ, who was unjustly abandoned, tortured and killed for the sake of all who believe in Him. They praised God's willingness to pour his grace over those who had done nothing to earn it.
"Christmas is about God's caritas. Jesus in the manger may seem cute, but the incarnation for God was actually an enormous comedown, like being born as a dog would be for us. (No, worse: a cockroach or beyond a different realm of being.) And yet, Christ showed caritas right to the last, by telling one of the thieves dying alongside Him that they would be together in paradise."
Hindi kaya some of us Christians preach giving like the Romans? Magbigay ka at ibabalik sa yo siksik, liglig, at umaapaw! Ayos, di ba? But the way to be motivated to give the caritas way is to reflect on God's giving.
1 comment:
That is why I am really against doing exchange gifts during Christmas parties, especially in the church. In exchange of gifts, you are giving away something and expecting to receive in return. I believe we should be preaching and teaching more about Caritas rather than liberalitas. Let us give without the expectation of receiving anything in return.
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