Special Gift

Thursday, December 21, 2000

A month before Christmas, I found myself thinking constantly of which gift to buy for whom, and joining sooooooo many others in the shopping malls, standing in line to pay, along with all the other niceties that go along with such.

Yet all too often, gifts received are placed in a cupboard, unopened and unused. Such a waste, I say. Further, it seems that the amount I've paid out sometimes exceeds the paycheque that I've put in my account. Hence, I find myself in debt.

Recently, at the church I attend, some visitors held a seminar on spiritual gifts. I wasn't able to attend, but I had learned of mine through Bible study last year. Since then, I have constantly wondered and hoped that those of us who do know our gift use it, and live it, each and every day of our lives. We have been given our gift; it would be such a shame to waste and ignore it.

In Bible study a week ago, we read about Abraham offering his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice. He had total faith in God. I wonder how many of us could do that. Of course, we all know God gave His Son too, for us. He paid a debt He did not owe. What a price to pay!

Let us all stop and think about just what's important here: it isn't the number of gifts, nor the size or cost of them that matters. We give what we can, and most importantly we give with love.

Like the words given on Christmas cards, such as "peace", "hope", "joy" and "love", may the gifts of the season live in our hearts long after the holidays are over.

Our gift from God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Let us be thankful. Our purpose in life is to know God and make Him known. Let us reflect His image — His glory — to those who don't know Him.

Let us remember then, the next time we're in the store, list in hand, not to dig deep into our pockets, but deep into our hearts. Let's check our list first. I'm sure each of us has quite a long list of things needing to be put right in our lives, before we can do any crossing off.

We will be forever in debt, not over costly Christmas presents, but for the gift we were given all those years ago.

Let us really read the words of the carols as we sing them this Christmas, and say a prayer of thanks for the greatest gift any of us have ever received.

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (NKJV)

1 Corinthians 14:1 – Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. (NKJV)

Prayer: Thank you Lord, for Your Son. We especially relate, right now, with the Christmas season looming. May we take time, amid the hustle and bustle, tinsel and greed, to appreciate Your gift to us. We don't need mansions, or king-sized beds. Let us learn to give more often, instead of take, take, take. Help us to love one another, as You love us. That is the greatest gift of all. May we begin to sacrifice more, for You, for others. Help us to spread the word that Jesus is the reason for the season. Thank you, Lord. Amen.

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About the author:

Maureen Killick
Acton, Ontario, Canada

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