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A mysterious gift

Mildred Lindquist

A few weeks before Christmas, our son Bryan saw a gift under the tree at his grandmother’s house. It was a gift from his Aunt Mabel, and his name was on it. The size and shape of the box aroused his curiosity. Each time he visited at their home, he would shake and feel that gift. His consuming interest at that time was hockey, so he began to imagine that this was some hockey equipment. Noticing his growing inquisitiveness, Aunt Mabel tried to convince him that the gift was not what he was expecting. It was nothing special, but was a “stocking stuffer”. The more she tried to divert his imagination, the more he was sure she was just trying to distract him.


Finally, Christmas Eve arrived. Bryan wasted no time in tearing the wrappings off his gift. He could not believe his eyes. This gift was most certainly not hockey equipment but something he could not even identify. He realized that his aunt had been truthful when she had tried to dissuade him. She explained to him that the peculiar contents were pant stretchers to put a crease in his pants while they hung to dry. The gift would have been more appropriate for me as I did the pressing, but it was the “in” thing to go to school with well-pressed pants, so, in spite of his disappointment, he gratefully accepted the gift.

Bryan cannot remember the other gifts he received that year, but he has never forgotten that mysterious gift.

Another gift, in sharp contrast, exceeds our greatest expectations. After millenniums of anticipation, a mysterious gift was given to the human race. The people were looking for a king to fulfill prophecy, so did not recognize the Gift wrapped in the womb of a young virgin. A few people likely gossiped about Mary.

Mystery continued to enshroud the life of Jesus. As a boy of 12, His wisdom astounded the teachers in the temple: “Everyone who heard Him was amazed at His understanding and His answers” (Luke 2:47). The people were surprised by His miracles and teaching: “The people were amazed when they saw the dumb speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing” (Matthew 15:31). Yet, as with Bryan, in spite of being told the truth, they were not persuaded: “Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in Him” (John 12:37).

The unwrapping continued. Jesus took His twelve disciples aside and told them that He was going to die on the cross to bring salvation to sinful people and that He would rise again from the dead, but “The disciples did not understand any of this” (Luke 18:31-34).

Finally, Jesus explained, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). Abundant and eternal life could only be accomplished by Jesus’ death and resurrection. This mysterious gift is the opportunity for every human being to become a member in the family of God and the promise that Jesus will return and take His family to be with Him forever (John 14:3). This gift, unlike Bryan’s gift, is not disappointing, but is immeasurably greater than anything we can imagine.

Can we do less than accept, with thanksgiving, this mysterious gift?

Muriel Lindquist is a member of Central Heights MB Church in Abbotsford, B.C.

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Last modified December 7, 2001.

© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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