When young children were asked what they wanted to get for Christmas, they gave many answers with great energy. Then, when they were given a choice of a big chocolate or a small chocolate, most took the big candy, leaving the small one for their companion.
When, instead, they were asked what presents they wanted to give, they also had answers. But then most took the small candy, giving the big chocolate for their companion. (See Does Santa Make You Selfish?)
Getting
What are you getting for Christmas?
God’s life-changing present for us isn’t under the tree. He gave us His Son. Our Savior is born.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)
Believers are justified as a gift. (Romans 3:23–24)
Believers are given living water. (John 4:10)
As a free gift, believers are given eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
Believers receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)
“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)
Giving
What are you giving this Christmas?
There is no remotely equivalent gift to give Him. God the Father gave His Son. The Son gave Himself.
In fact, everything is His. All we can do is give back to Him what He has already given us.
“For all things come from You, and from Your hand we have given you.” (1 Chronicles 29:14)
The closest we can come to matching the gift God gave us is to give Him ourselves, using our time, talents and resources for His service, for His glory, to love our neighbor
What are you giving this year?
Is there a present under the tree for Jesus?
