All Good Gifts

On our family's first Christmas outside Canada, we and our Swazi host family travelled two hours to attend a Christmas celebration with a sister church in Ekupheleni, Swaziland. Some 120 people crowded into a hot tent -- too small for even 100 -- for a four and a half hour service that included choirs, drama, testimonies, prayer, preaching, a sharing of gifts and a lot of singing.

Everyone received a gift. Families brought extra gifts for unexpected guests. The gifts were simple and practical -- a soup bowl, water glasses, a basket. The idea of giving gifts was familiar to us but we marvelled at people's reactions after opening their gifts.

"Sijabulile" (We are filled with joy!) and "Siyabonga, Jesu!" (Thank you, Jesus!), recipients shouted as they danced, holding the simple gifts above their heads. At the time we were busy mustering energy to equal these displays of enthusiasm, but later we pondered these expressions of joy and thankfulness.

Swazi Christians often don't thank us directly when we give them gifts, but rather thank God. They say, "Thank you, Jesus," instead of "Thank you, Dave". In this way they remind us that all good gifts, indeed all good things, come from God. Even receiving a simple metal soup bowl is a reminder of God's goodness, and the great gift of his son, Jesus Christ.

May our sharing of gifts at Christmas always remind us of God's goodness to us. If we remember this we will be filled with joy.

Siyabonga, Jesu! Sijabulile!

Dave Wagner, MCC Swaziland.
MCC News Service, 7 Nov. 97