“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NLT)
Let’s recall Christmas gifts of Christmas’ past! There was the gift that disappointed you, but you displayed a merciful sense of gratefulness anyway. How kind and loving of you, realizing that any gift takes the place of the emptiness of what you did not have before you received the gift. There was the gift that you played with the very first day as a child, but it ceased to function on day two or your interest in the gift faded. The intent of the giver still had to be appreciated, even though there was an instant depreciation of the value of the gift.
There was the gift that you opened and asked in your head, “What am I going to do with this?” And then you said, still speaking so self, “I’ll just act like I really needed it, even though I don’t.” Good for you too! You rewarded love shown in the action of the giver with a compassionate reaction. There were those “another” type of gifts too: another tie, another scarf, another famous, frozen like fruit cake that was hard as a rock, and those fuzzy pair of socks you will never wear because of the itchiness. But nevertheless, God bless you, you smiled and showed a sense of delight! You might have been faking it, but good for you, being considerate of the giver’s feelings!
Well, in regards to gifts, keep your mind on the first Advent, the first coming of Christ, and then you will be focusing, as they say, on “the reason for the season.” While all the other gifts, those that bring you happiness and those that have you pretending like you really appreciated them, there is “The Gift, yes “The Gift,” that should always be appreciated, always accentuated as the best gift ever, and always acknowledged as the gift that leads to a great and happy eternity in Glory. Yes, there is God’s gift to the world, Jesus Christ!
This “Gift” is a keeper! This “Gift” will keep you! This “Gift” has multiple purposes, for this “Gift” will make you better, make your future look brighter for certain, make you have bountiful joy regardless of what is going on, and make you shout out, “The Lord is my Shepherd!” This “Gift” keeps on giving every single day, and this “Gift,” it will change your demeanor, certainly improve your behavior, and constantly go with you wherever you go; never leaving you or forsaking you! Thank God for “The Gift!”
Now, note that “The Gift” is the best “Gift” to re-gift! And the amazing thing is that while you pass on “The Gift,” you still have it and the benefits of it increase rather than decrease! Sound’s odd, and not like ordinary math, right? But that’s God! Have a great Tuesday! Focus on the blessing of “The Gift” during this busy season and in all the seasons of life you are blessed to see! Smile right now, about “The Gift!” Get happy right now, about “The Gift!” Thank the Lord one more time for “The Gift!” Go about your day now and remember God loves you still, and so do I! Be blessed!
“Sin pays off with death. But God’s gift is eternal life given by Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 3:23 Contemporary English Version)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King