The greatest Christmas gift is the original Christmas gift.

Last updated on: December 24, 2013 at 9:05 pm by Denise Bossert

The greatest Christmas gift is the original Christmas gift. 2013-12-24T21:05:47-05:00 Denise Bossert

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I’ve had the same dream twice in the last few weeks.

In the dream, I am dying – not the kind of dream where you are falling and about to hit the ground or someone is going to shoot you and you’ll be dead instantly.

I am dreaming that I have an illness and the loneliness & terrifying suffering stretches out before me. There. Is. Nothing. Else.

I feel the panic rising in me. There is no escape. No one can help me. No one can even walk with me.

Upon waking, I realize that I am not dying. I am not suffering. I do not have a fatal illness. But I also know that I will die. Eventually, I will enter that dark night. And that is a sobering thought.

The only antidote to the terrifying realization (that I will die – and everyone that lives and breathes will eventually die) is that Jesus Christ has conquered death. The dark night will lead to eternal morning. This life is not the sum total of everything – and believing in eternal life does not make one a weak-minded, delusional myth-maker.

No. This hope is wrapped up in strength. It is affirmed by a reality bigger than human synapses that formulate a reality which may or may not be real. God is eternal. The eternal One has become one of us. God entered our world – and hope has triumphed over darkness and death.

There is no gift that comes close to topping that.

If you don’t believe that, then what is the point of a Christmas Tree? Why buy presents at all? Turn off the radio and stop whistling along with Bing Crosby. Or. . .

. . . believe in the good news of the Gospel. All of it – every ornament and song and busy store aisle, every card and ribbon and candle, every ham sandwich and piece of homemade fudge, every sugar cookie and Christmas stocking – has meaning! Rejoice–

Christ, our savior is born!

Come, let us adore Him.

perfect Christmas gift

universal Christmas gift

why Jesus Came

Previous Post

December 22, 2013

Do Catholics Like The Song "Mary, Did You Know"

Next Post

December 28, 2013 Remembering Seabiscuit

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Diocesan Column Holy Land Travel Writing Let's Go On A Pilgrimage Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who said, "To the pure, all things are pure"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

John Paul Peter James