Ironically, Christmas brings with it a sense of angst, especially in the area of gift giving, with the ideas of perfect family time, and social obligations. We believe that somehow when a gift or card are received a debt is created to which we must respond. But the gift that will be given by this baby we celebrate is the realization of a covenant made 2100 years before His birth. It is a gift that we cannot equal, nor should we try. Nor is it one that can be earned.