Christmas gift-giving can be delightful, dreadful, or an embarrassing experience.
I remember turning up at a women’s leadership Christmas luncheon and all the other leaders had brought something to hand out—home-cooked loaves, hand-made candy and hand-painted salt and pepper shakers. Everyone … except me. I didn’t realize it was the thing to do.
I felt bad because I couldn’t reciprocate.
With real present giving, however, we shouldn’t feel we have to repay the giver, or that we don’t deserve what we’ve been given.
A true gift is one where you don’t have to respond in kind or expect anything in return. It can be freely accepted.
And that’s what I like about God’s gift, the one we celebrate at Christmas.
God’s actions are the ultimate example of perfect giving.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 (NIV)
God’s gift for you and me came to earth wrapped in a bundle—a baby named Jesus—and labeled grace.
God sent Jesus as an offering—one who would take our place and receive the punishment we deserved so we can stand freely before God.
We have done nothing to deserve this gift of life. We should instead be paying a penalty.
Yet, we only need to believe to accept what God offers.
Throughout the season and New Year, remember God’s gift of grace, through Jesus, is enough for you. You don’t have to work hard to achieve God’s favor.
God’s gift is sufficient for the year ahead. When you’ve messed up one too many times, God’s grace covers all your failures.
God’s grace doesn’t just save you; it sustains you. You can rely on God’s grace for whatever you face this year. Not as an excuse or a prop, but to give you strength.
Heavenly Father
Thank you for reaching down
from heaven and
giving us
the Christmas gift
of your Son, Jesus.
The gift that shows
Your kindness and grace.
I unwrap it with joy
And place it in my heart
So your grace
sustains me
for every situation
in the year ahead.
Amen.
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Linking up with Suzie Eller at #liveFree, Susan Mead at #DancewithJesus and Arabah Joy at #GraceandTruth