What is the most important gift one can give during Christmas? That depends on Who the gift is for. Or, does it depend more on the giver?
In The Most Noble Gift, performed at Cornerstone Katong on 21 and 22 December 2024, residents of Lilyvale are invited to present a gift for the newly born Prince. Every single person gives it their all. Their family legacies are paraded and at first, the wealthiest among them and the most glamorous of gifts threaten to outshine the uniqueness of each one. That is, until the Town Crier, the King’s messenger shares that the most noble gift, lies within each of the givers.
We all have something precious to offer to Jesus. God looks at our hearts (1 Sam 16:7) and He loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor 9:7) The Most Noble Gift was written collectively by a team of Cornerstone writers. It was dreamt up, produced and staged by a talented crew of Director, Choreographer, Producer, Actors and Crew. It is our gift to the Lord, to pre-believing and Christian audiences.
As an evangelistic message, the story treads into insecurities of our backgrounds, achievements and baggages. What would be fit for a King? Certainly not our failures, mistakes and shameful pasts. Would the King like my gift?
A story from Luke 7, verses 37 to 38 comes to mind: A sinful woman “brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His (Jesus’) feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.” (NKJV)
Moved by her gesture, this was how Jesus responded in verses 44 to 47, “(To Simon the Pharisee) you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head…You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.” (NKJV)
It is a beautiful scene of generosity begetting generosity. Jesus’ response is that of grace and compassionate forgiveness. Jesus does not judge the material value of what we offer to Him, or discount our gifts because of past shames we would rather forget.
The most important gift then, is simply ourselves. God values our presence and company the most. We are the gift to Him, as He is the gift to us.
Here are some of the testimonies from the young cast:
Nouvelle Tan (11 years old)
I joined The Most Noble Gift thinking that it would be a great way to spend the school holidays. Even though the rehearsals were tiring, I learnt a lot from the directors, friends, choreographer, and even the script. I used to think that if I were giving someone special a gift, the gift had to be really big and impressive. But as I read through the script one day, I realised that my character was a poor girl who brought gifts to the newborn king with her friends. Her gift was a simple song and dance, but she knew the king would love her gift because it showed her love for Him, and that was all that mattered! The production is the Christmas story in disguise, but I hope many people have been touched by it. I’m thankful for this journey and I look forward to acting in more productions.
Asher Pillai (13 years old)
As an actor in this Christmas production, I felt that God spoke to me about the power of embracing a storytelling role in His Kingdom to tell others about Christ. The process of embodying a character and bringing the Christmas story to life reminded me of How Jesus came to us in the most humble, unexpected way.
Through this experience, I learnt how to embrace vulnerability, humility, and grace in my own life, just as Christ did. And to be, as he said to Peter, a fisher of men. Through this production, I was able to be His vessel, allowing the message of hope, peace, and love to shine through in every scene, that I could radiate the same joy He has shown to me in my life.
Jude Joseph Lim (11 years old)
When I first auditioned for the play in July, I expected the rehearsals to be stressful. But God was in control, and I formed meaningful friendships with individuals like Nahshon and Nouvelle, whose kindness and support made the experience far richer than I could have anticipated.
As we progressed through the months, I encountered challenges particularly with my “wandering feet” during rehearsals. However, the Lord, in His grace, placed Jeremy Joseph, Xixi, and Timothy in my path, guiding me with patience and encouragement. What initially seemed like a struggle soon became an opportunity for growth and enjoyment.
I look back on this experience with profound gratitude. The initial nerves I felt before stepping onto the stage faded as the performance unfolded, and I’m deeply thankful for the strength and guidance God provided.
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