Every holiday season, I’m drawn to the lights and ornaments on the Christmas tree. The decorations bring back a lot of memories, each ornament with its own story from years past. Under the tree are shiny boxes and bags, filled with worldly treasures.
We search for the ‘perfect gift’ each holiday season. The gift that will make the receiver’s eyes wide, the gift which shows we care, or the gift that will carry meaning long after the moment has passed.
Truthfully though, the best gift isn’t wrapped under the tree; it is something much deeper that lasts beyond the season for years to come.
Reflections for Christmas
Christmas is a time for reflection. During the holiday season we recount the birth of Jesus Christ, which was the ultimate gift of love and sacrifice. God’s gift was given not through earthly riches, but through His humbling grace and mercy. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
If we’re chasing after the best present, it’s likely we will overlook the true essence of the holiday season all together. The real gift of giving isn’t displayed with trending products or high price tags, but rather within the moments we are fully present. Since we know God sent His Son to be with us, we know togetherness and participating in our community is part of God’s design for us.
Presence Renews
The holidays can certainly feel overwhelming with Christmas lists, shopping, wrapping, and rushing around from place to place. We can find renewal when we pause and ask ourselves: What gift can I offer that holds infinite worth?
Presence may not sparkle like wrapped gifts, but it holds power, depth, and weight. Presence is found when we reach out to an old friend that we had lost connection with, when we sit with a neighbor who feels alone, or even by writing a simple note to someone that affirms, “You are loved, and you matter.”
These tiny, yet mighty, acts of service renew everyone involved; “Serve one another humbly in love” (Galatians 5:13). By choosing presence, we can reclaim our kindness, our own desire for connection, and our commitment to walk in God’s will.
Embody the Gift
The perfect gift of presence moves our focus from getting something, to instead connecting with someone. It calls us to listen to that inner voice nudging us to reach out, connect, love, and serve; a nudge that may very well be a call from God.
When presence becomes the gift we give, we become the offering through our self-sacrifice. We show Christ’s love by sacrificing our time and in being of service. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45).
Step Into Presence
This Christmas, as you gaze upon the Christmas tree and admire the flashy lights and dazzling ornaments, ask yourself: Who could use my presence this holiday season? 
• Pick up the phone and call a friend who’s been on your mind, but you’ve been too busy to reach out.
• Write a letter to someone from your past who made an impact on your life but may not know the impact they made.
• Volunteer your time for a cause that serves people in need.
• Be present with your family and friends without any distractions, such as a cell phone or television.
These are the gifts that last, and which give high praise to God.
Personally, I like to prioritize reaching out to people I haven’t connected with in a while, or even those I’ve lost touch with over the years. Time and again, I’ve found that a simple phone call or text has reached them at just the right moment; often when they were feeling lost or going through something I didn’t even know about. In some cases, I’ve invited them to Shepherd’s Gate Church. Not every invitation was accepted, but I was struck by how many were missing the presence of Jesus in their lives, and how meaningful that invitation was to them, in that moment.
A Lasting Gift
The ‘perfect gift’ cannot be found adorned with bows or wrapped in wrapping paper.
The best gifts are not shown in what we give financially or tucked under the Christmas tree; but rather, the best gift is found in the giving of our presence and our time. It’s deciding to show up for others, to be of maximum service to those around us, and to love as God calls us to love. As Jesus said in John 15:12, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you”.
Presence is the gift that keeps giving. It helps us to reflect on what matters most, renew relationships, and transform our hearts. This Christmas season let’s step into service, love, and presence. Let’s give a gift that can’t be bought but will always be remembered.
Because the best gift isn’t found under the tree, the perfect gift is you and your full presence.
