For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23, NIV
The day after Thanksgiving is the biggest shopping day of the year. People get up before dawn and go and stand in long lines waiting to get into stores to get great bargains. In many cases, there are very limited numbers of items and it is first come, first serve. In most parts of the country, it is cold or snowy; but I know people who actually look forward to and are excited to go and be a part of the chaos. Are you one of these people or are you like me and would not go out there for any deal or discount?
Parking spaces are hard to find. Stores are crowded, lines are long, and in some cases, it would seem that kindness and consideration were left at home. When I worked in retail, I actually had to break up a fistfight between two women who were fighting over a tie.
Some of you have been on the receiving end of one of these wonderful gifts that someone sacrificed sleep and sanity for, just so you could have the latest and greatest gadget or something you could never have been able to afford. Did you refuse to let anyone else use it or even touch it when you first got it? Why? How long did it hold its value? Is it still something that is cherished and used every day or did it end up in a box in the basement or in a garage sale? Do you still honor and thank the one who sacrificed so much to give it to you? Years later do you thank them on a daily basis?
With all the thought and love that has gone into some of the gifts that you have been given, none of them can compare to the love and sacrifice that went into the gift of Jesus Christ. Jesus came and sacrificed more than we can even fathom so that we could receive the gifts of reconciliation and eternal life with the Father. There is no amount of money, work, or sacrifices that would have allowed us to obtain the gift of God’s forgiveness, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the spiritual gifts that we have received through Christ’s sacrifice. These gifts never fade, go out of style, get broken, or lose interest.
One of the best things about these gifts is that they were meant to be shared with others. You do not have to worry about them breaking or getting lost if you share them with others. As a matter of fact, your appreciation and understanding of them may even grow as you learn to share them with others. It is God’s plan for you to share His gifts with the world so that they might also receive His gift of salvation. His gifts are not a limited supply. He has plenty and desires that all would come to Him and receive His gifts. They are as wonderful today as they were the day you received them.
Let’s continue to thank Him for them each and every day!
Dear Lord, We want to thank You for Your very great gift of Jesus. Please lead us to share Your love with others during this Christmas season. Amen.
Copyright Kathy Branzell.
Kathy has a heart for encouraging Christian educators and currently serves as the President of the National Day of Prayer Task Force. Prior to this role, she was the founder and president of Fellowship and Christian Encouragement (FACE) for Educators.
