The Essence of Gift Giving - Essay Example

The author’s objectives have been successfully met in the presentation of ideas and it could be said that the points of discussion were deeply considered especially since it has proven to have been carefully studied. The in-depth study of the Anglo-Saxon and Germanic cultures on gift giving was very helpful in the exposition of the author’s point, making it believable and convincing as most scholarly works do.

Opinionated presentations so many times are given less consideration as they can prove to have been recklessly thought however, with regards to the article, it is shown to have undergone elaborate scrutiny in the eyes of the writer. In Thieme’s article, she magnified the need for gift-giving in the attainment of salvation. Indeed this proves to be true as exemplified by the very acts of God. First, He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ as a gift to the world for the salvation of men from their sins. With this, He then was magnified, seated at the right hand of the Father after He successfully performed what was expected of Him by the one who sent Him. The rood which was a witness to the hardships Jesus had undergone is now honored for its quiet wisdom and acceptance of the responsibility given to Jesus.

Looking up to the Son of God who received his cup of bitterness and drank from it, the rood did not see it fit for it to complain or fight back on behalf of its Lord rather it saw fit for the rood to take its responsibility as well to just carry the body of Jesus Christ even if it meant pains and scars in its body as Jesus was nailed to it. When the rood saw how violently the earth reacted to the crucifixion of Jesus, it considered how it could do the same yet decided to look up to its Lord and follow the example He has set.

Due to the sacrifice of the rood, its gift of being strong and meek amidst the chaos during the death of Jesus, it is now seen with respect, adorned with flowers and gems, and considered an important part of the faith of mankind in God who authored all that happened. In consideration of the dreamer, the rood now advises following its footsteps as it followed the example of Jesus. The dreamer’s gift is to associate himself closely with Jesus and use his talents in spreading the message of salvation.

He has to accept that the death of Jesus has some meaning for him as an individual and to let this come alive in him, the dreamer should repent, have faith in Jesus and do active works because he was given the gift of skills and talents which he has to use productively as his gift to God so that in the end he will be given the gift of eternal life.