Principal’s Message – A Christmas Gift

The Principal’s Message: A Christmas Gift

Dr Chong Siaw Fung

. . . they bowed down and worshiped him. . . . they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Matt. 2:11)

To the commercialized and materialistic world today, Christmas is synonymous to the generous exchange of gifts in the year-end festive mood. This may not be so for everyone in Asia, but the popular culture of Christmas celebration is surely making it somewhat like any local festive season. The thought about Christmas gift reminds us of Jesus, the Son of God, being the greatest gift for humankind and the Creation—a light to the darkness, a hope for eternity, a path of salvation from the peril of sin, an offer for reconciliation with God. Perhaps the right way of thinking about Christmas gifts is: What is my gift to God this Christmas? If God had given me His Son and bestowed upon me all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus (Eph. 1:3), what could I possibly offer to Him?

Magi from the East were clear about who Jesus is. They travelled for a long period of time and far from home to worship the one who was born to be King and Savior of the world. They brought gifts of great significance—gold as tribute to the King, frankincense for the worship of God, and myrrh in preparation of the burial of the dying Savior. At least, that is what we would usually take the gifts of the Magi to mean.

But we are neither wealthy wise men nor rich kings. What could we offer as gift to the Almighty God and King of the universe? That was what the little drummer boy Aaron said towards the final scene in the 1968 classic animated movie The Little Drummer Boy. When he was urged by the Magi to approach baby Jesus who was lying in the manger (nevermind the slight historical flaw, because the Magi could only have reached Bethlehem months after the birth of Jesus), he told the Magi respecfully: “But I have no gift (fit for the King) . . .” The ensuing scene is the climax of that movie. At the background came the theme song (a popular Christmas carol), and Aaron devoted himself to play his drum with all his might—his gift to the King. The lyrics of the song says: “I am a poor boy too, I have no gift that’s fit for our King. Shall I play my drum for you, O King?”

This Christmas, play your drums (or whatever) for Him with all your hearts, and let Christmas—real Christmas—happens in your heart.