Can We Open the Presents Now?

Even though America is a melting pot, we still have our own customs and traditions.

One such custom is the exchange of presents and gifts.

We exchange presents on Christmas, on birthdays, on wedding anniversaries, and other occasions that are meaningful to us.

But what, exactly, does the act of gift-giving mean? Is there more to it than a simple: I care for you?

Even though we, as Americans, still exchange gifts, I wonder: has a deeper meaning been lost in translation?

If we don’t fully understand gift-giving now, how in the world can we understand gift-giving in Scripture?!?!

PAUL WAS COLLECTING A GIFT FOR JERUSALEM

Within Paul’s letters the act of gift-giving plays a major role!

So much so that Paul mentions that he is planning on giving a gift to the Jerusalem Church in his letters to the Romans (15:25-29), the Galatians (2:10), and the Corinthians (1 Co. 16:1-4; 2 Co. 8, 9).

Sadly, however, I’ve heard very few sermons about what this means. If he mentions it that many times, isn’t it worth preaching about?

But why, exactly, would Paul want to give a gift to the Jerusalem Church?

THE GIFT REPRESENTED RECONCILIATION

Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, didn’t always see eye to eye with the apostles of the Jerusalem Church.

They had butted heads a few times over how the Gentiles were to be included in Christ, but in the end they agreed it was by faith – though the apostles in Jerusalem didn’t always stick to the deal (Gal. 2:1-21).

Nonetheless, the gospel message is that all people – Jew and Gentile – come together in Jesus Christ, and this means reconciliation and forgiveness.

If Paul could give a gift to the Church of Jerusalem, on behalf of the Gentile Churches, it would go a long way to reconciliation between these different churches!

GIFTS ALSO REPRESENTED STATUS

But there’s more to it than that!

In the ancient world, gifts represented a lot of things, because gifts were also given as a status symbol.

For example, if a father or mother gave a gift to their child, that child was not expected to give a gift in return, because the parents had authority over their child.

It was a status symbol. Parents have a higher status than their child.

But guess what? This happened at all levels of society. A wealthy patron could give a gift to someone who worked for him, but not the other way around.

If, on the other hand, two people were of equal status, then they would exchange gifts of equal worth.

So, if a peer gave me a $50 gift, then to show that I am truly a peer, I would return the gesture with a $50 gift of my own.

It’s an equal exchange that demonstrations a societal relationship.

GIFTS REPRESENTED FRIENDSHIP AND COMMUNION

Since gifts were given as an indication of equality, or inequality, in a relationship, gifts become a very powerful symbol!

Gifts could represent fellowship (communion!), and equality!

A part of the reason Paul wants to give a gift to the Church in Jerusalem not only as a sign of reconciliation and communion between the two churches, but also as a sign that the Gentile Church was a peer of the Jerusalem Church.

WHAT GIFT DID JERUSALEM GIVE?

But wait a minute, you might say!

“You said that in order for gifts to represent equality, there had to be an exchange of gifts! If Paul is gathering a gift for Jerusalem, what gift did they give to the Gentile Church?”

That’s a great question!

And the answer is: they gave the Gentile Church the same gift we are still receiving from the ancient Jerusalem Church!

FROM JERUSALEM CAME THE GOSPEL

The gift from Jerusalem is none other than the gospel (John 4:22)! It’s the good news that Christ has trampled down death by death!

This same gift, this same message, continues to be preached, as it has for 2,000 years, through the Orthodox Church. No other church can make this claim!

It’s the Church that appoints priests to preach the Good News, every Sunday.

The gospel message is not simply a decree – it’s a transforming action.

… God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us. (Rom 5:5 RSV)

It’s an astonishing gift because it’s given to those who have been alienated from God! It’s even given to those who are hostile to God!

In Christ, God reaches across the chasm of alienation, and establishes peace between himself and us – and we all have equal and free access to this gift!

God’s gift destroys the reign of sin by trampling down and destroying death.

So, the Gentile Church had received a spiritual gift – the gospel – and in return, Paul is raising money to be given as a gift to the Jerusalem Church from the Gentile Churches.

P.S. WE CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE GOSPEL

The gift of the gospel, the Good News that we are reconciled to God, and the Good News that we are reconciled with one another, despite our differences, is just as valid for us TODAY, as it was for those in the time of Paul.

• This gift is given to us at each reading of the Epistle.
• It’s given to us at each reading of the Gospel.
• It’s given to us every time we hear a homily.
• We respond to this gift when we come and are baptized in the Church.
• We respond to this gift when we receive Holy Communion at the Liturgy.
• We respond to this gift when we, in turn, go out into the world and live by God’s love.

Come this Sunday to St. Elias (click here) and receive the gift of Jesus Christ! (10:30 am; 2001 Asbury Rd, Dubuque)(Or find your nearest Orthodox Church, here).