GIFTS, GIFTS, GLORIOUS GIFT!
Christmas child
What has been the best, most exciting gift you’ve ever received? One that made you scream with excitement, cry with joy, or dance around the room? I remember the most exciting gift I ever received as if it were yesterday:
Unknown to me, my husband had sent tickets to England for my parents to come for Christmas. I hadn’t seen them for several years. Our six-year old daughter, Malaika, and three-year old son, Elliot, played in the kitchen as I cooked dinner. Suddenly the back door opened and in walked my parents—I was stunned, Elliot screamed, Malaika stared and my husband, Jim, wore the biggest smile I have ever seen!As you can imagine—it was a Christmas to remember forever. What a gift of love.
In all the stress of Christmas: choosing gifts, standing in long checkout lines, wrapping them (I definitely need a class in this—and I’ve given up even trying to tie bows!), and finally, waiting anxiously to see the reaction of the receiver, can make the whole “Christmas gift” thing make you want to send a simple gift card instead! (Which isn’t such a bad idea.)
But, even if gift buying and giving can stress us out, it is one of the most wonderful and glorious parts of Christmas—because it mirrors the greatest gift you and I can ever receive—Jesus, God’s only begotten Son. My heart sings at the words:“
The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).Speaking of Himself to the Samaritan woman, Jesus said, “If you knew the gift of God you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water” (John 4:10). “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—it is the gift of God…” (Ephesians 2:8).
This amazing gift of God changes who you are forever! You are no longer who you used to be. You no longer need to live with shame, guilt, failure, and pain.
It changes how you can live. You can have purpose, peace, joy and freedom to live fully.
It changes your priorities. You can live for a greater goal than your own desires, to please the One who gave Himself for you.
It changes your source of fulfillment and joy. You can know an inner well of delight, that brings you to tears and praise, as the amazing grace and love of God envelops your soul.
Enjoy your Christmas gifts, my friends—but delight in the gift of God, Jesus, Who transforms you at your core, and Who you will enjoy for eternity.
Jesus Has Come.
Photo credit: GraphicStock