Merry Christmas! You are God’s gift! I know that sounds backwards, but let’s explore this topic.
CHRISTMAS GIVING
What is the first thing you think about when you hear the word Christmas?
Jesus coming as a gift to the world?
Giving gifts?
Warm gatherings with family and friends?
Or maybe you see a darker side.
The weight of expectations.
You can’t measure up.
The pressure to perform.
As if you can conjure up gifts from the North Pole.
WHAT DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU RECEIVE?
Let’s look at another aspect. What do you feel when you receive a gift?
Joy?
Surprise?
Love?
Approval? (No coal in my stocking!)
Or maybe you feel disappointed.
It wasn’t what you wanted.
Or guilty.
Your gift to that person didn’t measure up to the gift they gave you.
A JOYOUS REACTION
Have you ever been overjoyed by someone’s reaction to your gift?
My husband and I felt joy like confetti when our grandson reacted to the December birthday present we sent him. First, he hid the wrapped present behind his back and pretended he couldn’t find it. (He’s a comedian at heart!). When he opened it, he couldn’t contain his surprise as he jumped around the room. “This is the biggest Lego set I’ve ever seen!” When we talked to him a few days later he had almost finished it and told us how he could hardly sleep that night, dreaming of putting it together.
THAT’S HOW JESUS FEEL ABOUT YOU!
Yes, you heard me right.
Jesus doesn’t keep a list of your shortcomings. Maybe you think you don’t measure up to his expectations, but He doesn’t think that.
YOU ARE GOD’S GIFT!
Deuteronomy 32:9 says “For the Lord’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted inheritance.” You are God’s inheritance. An inheritance is like a gift—it’s something you receive that you didn’t have to work for.
We all know that Jesus went to the cross to save us from our sins. But He didn’t go with a heavy heart, wishing that Adam and Eve hadn’t disobeyed in the garden.
No. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross. He chose not to meditate on the negative, but instead He looked forward to the joy of having us as His inheritance.
“We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him. Now he holds the honored position—the one next to God the Father on the heavenly throne.” Hebrews 12:2 GW
In the movie Elf, Buddy (Will Ferrel) can’t contain his joy when someone says that Santa is coming to town.
That’s how Jesus feels about you.
Yes, Jesus is the greatest gift, and nothing will ever surpass that. However, don’t forget that you and I are a gift to Him, and we give Him great pleasure. You are God’s gift!