What’s the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received?
A child might say an iPhone or an Xbox 360. Adults might remember that surprise gift of expensive jewelry, or maybe a vacation trip.
What’s the best present you’ve ever given?
Flash back to the first Christmas. We know the story of the Magi who brought gifts to the Christ child, but have we ever considered what we should give him?
We received the gift of faith from the communion of saints, our ancestors in the faith including our grandparents and parents, and the priests, nuns and CCD teachers who are now gone.
What did Christmas mean to them?
Father Ron Lengwin sees Christmas come alive in the Pittsburgh Crèche downtown, the world’s only authorized replica of the Nativity Crèche that stands outside Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
The first definition of a crèche written four centuries ago said that its purpose is “to bring to life the events of the birth of Christ so that all who view the scene may personally share the wonder of those who originally saw it.”
Jesus is the greatest gift God gave us, Father Lengwin said, “because he is the source of life and we were brought into existence because of God’s great love. He is madly in love with us, his creation. His love awakens and sustains the gifts he has given us.”
We can accept these gifts, or return them. We also can re-gift Jesus—pass him onto others.
Our Campaign for The Church Alive! is one way to give back to God for the many blessings we’ve received. The case for support provides a panoramic picture of the good works of the Church.
“Beyond sharing our financial resources, we can give back to God by recognizing that the Church is God’s family, and we all have important roles to play in that family,” Father Lengwin said. “The gifts that God has given to us are so special that science can prove that no one exactly like us has ever existed. Each of us is indeed so important to God.”
We may acknowledge that everything we have comes from God, the Giver of all Good Gifts, but can we ever fully repay him?
“From a human perspective, whenever you truly love someone, you can never do enough for them,” Father Lengwin said. “There is a great joy in giving, and God wants us to come to him so he can give even more.
“When we are attentive to God’s love, he can multiply every effort to do good. We need to open our heart, mind and soul so that God can enter our life more fully.”
What gifts are on Jesus’ Christmas list; what does he want from us?
- To have a conversion of heart and spend time with him
- To love and serve others
- To help build his Church
“It is an exercise of our free will, to love others,” Father Lengwin explained. “People may decide to open themselves to your love. It’s the same with God. Our life is given to us as a precious gift.”
Likewise, the campaign is an invitation from God. Parishioners have an opportunity to give sacrificial gifts freely and cheerfully. Or say, “No thanks.”
Father Lengwin continues to gaze on the Crèche.
“Look again at the nativity scene. The three kings—why were they drawn to Bethlehem in the first place?” he asked. “The shepherds, even Mary and Joseph, what happened to them and how did they touch others?”
So what will be our Christmas gift to the Child Jesus? Maybe it can be as simple as it is beautiful—passing on The Church Alive! to future generations.
