The Gift
The timeless vocals, soulfulness and the rhythms of Diana Ross, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5 and The Temptations ushered in the aroma of the Christmas season into my home. The melodies of Christmas were on a two-sided cassette tape, composed by a local Brooklyn DJ who called himself MC DG — but I just called him Dad. And just like Biggie “I let my tape rock ’til my tape popped.” The vocal ballets and vibrations of the five-string bass would bounce along my bedroom walls and fill my heart with great joy in anticipation for what Christmas morning would bring. I would attempt to belt out Motown’s greatest, imagining myself as a part of the Jackson 6 singing to “A Little Drummer Boy.” It was as if every melody, chord and song was intentional and told a story. The lyrics I’ve become so familiar with were singing the timeless classics of a King who would come to redeem the world. Pointing me to a greater hope, a hope that wasn't seasonal but eternal, redirecting my anticipation from mere earthly gifts and onto the Gift: Jesus.
Etched into some of my favorite songs was a pivotal ancient story that transcends time and eternity: the birth of a long-awaited King who dates back generations, centuries and decades. While traditional Christmas songs make reference to him, the scriptures boast in Him and give hope of his highly anticipated arrival. It was a hope that would consist of forty-two generations, six-hundred and eighty years of waiting. A faith that would be tested in the midst of bondage, famine, genocide, failed kings and conquered kingdoms. This King would not only ransom the oppressed but remove the bondage of sin itself. Throughout generations, throughout all of scripture the melodic notes of hope would continue to resound. A King who’d bear the image of the invisible God but humbled himself to take on the likeness of man.
This hope does not lead to disappointment. The Prophet Isaiah sings the praises of this glorious hope and explicitly gives insight of the King to come. He vividly composes an exact deception of the Messiah whom he had never seen. He gives this King names that aren't suitable for mere men. He calls him Wonderful Counselor for he is wisdom for all who seek him, knowing the full counsel of God. Mighty God for there were no gods before him and none after him, every battle and victory in him is won. Everlasting Father for he is the father of eternity, the father of all things, in him all of his children are blessed. Prince of Peace for he is the only purchaser and procurer of peace between God and men and the peace of our own consciences.
This perfect gift came wrapped in flesh, fulfilling scripture, atonement for sins, the promise given in Isaiah 7:14 and fulfilled in Matthew 1:20-23. The hope of glory, The King of Kings, a name given above all names, we shout and call him Jesus. He is the reason I proudly sing in an off-key falsetto to “O Holy Night” and “Joy to the World,” in my attempt to pair with Motown’s legends. He is the gift we didn't deserve, who has given us a love we could never earn and paid the penalty we could never pay. May the true reason for Christmas cause us to slow down and reflect. Reflect on the Gift that was worth waiting for, a hope that manifested itself as the promised Messiah, and the faith that burns with the same fervent hope as generations before us for a coming Messiah and Redeemer.