We have some presents under the Christmas tree at our house. I’m more calm now, but I can remember as a kid how I could barely control myself and wait until Christmas morning to open them. I don’t know what is in my present now and I didn’t know what was in most of mine as a kid. In our house, each one of us has been shopping for and buying gifts for each other. It is a fun tradition and even the simplest of gifts let the receiver know that they were thought of with love. We will gather as a family and start opening ours together and there will be shouts of “thank you” or “that’s just what I wanted”. But imagine how we would feel if we had the gift there as a promise of something good, fun or even valuable…and we did nothing at all. To have prepared in our minds what we wanted to do, purchased or made the gift, wrapped it and placed it carefully under the tree…and then the intended recipient just doesn’t bother to open it, much less use it or even thank us for it. I would feel heartbroken. But I wonder if God has feelings like that. The Bible talks about God’s preparation for Christmas across the centuries and then finally the day comes and the gift is given…and so many just say “no thanks” or simply pretend that it isn’t there. God’s gift at that first Christmas is much like that. The giving of his son is no last-minute present grabbed from some heavenly shelf and brought to earth for all those who did and will inhabit our world. The whole Old Testament, the first, long part of the Bible is his preparation for the giving of his gift of Jesus Christ to the world. And God doesn’t force people to accept the gift of his son and eternal life. But I can’t imagine waking up on July 4th and walking into our family room and looking again at the brightly lit tree and the presents to me still sitting under it, unopened, unused and unappreciated. What a terrible thing to do to myself and to the givers. No matter if this Christmas you find yourself with no presents under the tree…or no tree at all. God has a gift for you to embrace and cherish and that will change your life. Don’t leave the gift unopened. See or maybe even see again what God has brought for you. It is the most important thing you need, something you will use for this life and well, forever. And it is sealed with his promise that you are precious and valued by him. Open the gift of this Jesus of the Bible this Christmas by simply opening your
heart to his love and kindness and promise of purpose and eternal life. Do that or even help others to do that…and this will be the Merriest Christmas ever! Here’s our Bible verse for today…
John 3:16 BSB For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Remember I’m praying for you…
PJ
heart to his love and kindness and promise of purpose and eternal life. Do that or even help others to do that…and this will be the Merriest Christmas ever! Here’s our Bible verse for today…
John 3:16 BSB For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Remember I’m praying for you…
PJ