For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.*
A year ago today I was in Germany, I awoke in a warm home to find a little boy excitedly looking in his shoes. When I asked him what all the fuss was about, he explained. In one of his shoes was a gift from Saint Nicholas. As was one in his little sisters shoe, and to my great surprise, in mine as well! Saint Nicholas had visited during the night, and because people traditionally leave their shoes outside, and Saint Nicholas can't get into the house and directly give the gifts to the children, he leaves a gift in each of the children's shoes. A little chocolate, usually! Something small to brighten one's day.
(my little friend in Germany looking at the little gifts from Saint Nicholas)
St Nicholas, as far as I understand it, was a young man who lived in the 4th century. He was orphaned as a young man and inherited great wealth. He moved to live with his uncle a priest where he learn more about good news of Jesus. He was moved to generosity, he especially had compassion for children and is remembered for caring for orphans, he was also quite humble and sought to remain a secret donor. Hence the myth of Santa secretly coming and donating gifts to children emerged.
Anyway, I think it's a lovely encouragement to be generous to those around us, especially children. This is something we don't do out of duty but rather in thankfulness; imitating Christ, the one who had all the riches and gave it up for our sake:
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!**
What a sacrifice, giving up so much! I am ashamed at how much I hold onto my few dollars, possessions and talents. What are they really? When Jesus, had everything, and was willing to die; for me, for you! If Jesus who created and sustains everything (like EVERYTHING) willingly gave it up, so that through his poverty we might be made rich. Not physically rich, but rich in the way of eternal life, boundless blessing, unconditional love, amazing grace. If Jesus gave up His riches to be poor, it follows through that believers and followers of Christ (Christians) would seek to imitate him. Saint Nicholas was just a man who had some money, but he didn't keep it for himself instead gave it to the weak and vulnerable in society; children.
Even with my little, I want to be generous. I want to have the same mindset as Christ with my relationships. That I would give up and be generous with what I have, so that in my poverty they might become rich. And in my poverty, God might be glorified as the One who inspires and challenges us to trust in His provision and generosity rather than our own abilities. Let us delight in the generosity of Jesus becoming man, as my little friend was delighted at chocolate in his shoe. Because really, Jesus is so much better than chocolate! :)
**Philippians 2:5-8
Hehehe, I remember how excited he was!!
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