TO WHOM SHALL WE GIVE PRESENTS?
THE Christmas holidays are at hand, a time generally devoted to revelry and gratification of the carnal heart. The occasion is nominally a celebration of the birth of Christ; but the general spirit of it is decidedly antagonistic to the work of Christ. We are living in "perilous times," when men, even those having "a form of godliness," are "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God." Such a time is designated in the Scriptures as "the last days" (2 Tim. 3: 1-5), and therefore in close proximity to the coming of the Lord. In such a time, when the world is feasting, and "scoffers" are saying, "Where is the promise of His coming?" (2 Peter 3: 3, 4), it is a time for those who believe the Word of God to be fasting. It is a time when the world and those who follow the world indulge in mutual compliments, and presents to one another. The disciples of Christ, however, should remember that the wise men who sought to celebrate the birth of Christ brought gifts to Him instead of bestowing them upon one another. Matt. 2: 1-11. Whom shall we imitate in the coming holiday season—the world or the wise men? To those who have been imitators of the wise men the Lord will say, "I was an hungered, and ye gave Me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took Me in; naked, and ye clothed Me; I was sick, and ye visited Me; I was in prison, and ye came unto Me." Then they who are thus accredited will ask, When did we do this? and the Lord will reply, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me." Matt. 25: 34-40. Throughout this dark world, in "every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people," there are many who are hungering and thirsting after righteousness; and whatever may be given to the cause of enlightening, clothing, and feeding them, will be recognized in heaven as a present to the King. To whom should the most valuable presents be given, on the day set apart for celebrating the King's birthday, but to the King Himself? On the birthday of a friend, to whom do the birthday presents go? If we would have Him remember us at His coming, we should remember His needy cause while our remembrances may accomplish some good. "The night cometh when no man can work;" then it will be too late, and our gifts that might have been welcomed will be spurned.