Giving Gifts

Two important aspects of Christmas celebration are lights and gifts.

We may give for the sake of keeping tradition 

or because of love.

Love gives.

We give gifts to the one who celebrates the birthday showing that person is special and is loved.

At Christmas time we exchange gifts indicating that all of us are special and that we love one another.

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This tradition did not originate from man but from GOD. He set the example for giving.

"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.

 John 3:16 

When purchasing gifts we do our best to find the most suitable gift for each individual.

GOD gave the gift most suited for mankind.

A life for the lives of people.

A Saviour for the sinner!

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Traditionally, gifts are wrapped with colourful paper and placed under the Christmas tree.

GOD’S gift was a precious little baby from heaven

wrapped in swaddling clothes 

laid in a manger - the feeding trough for cattle!

Gifts come in varying sizes and shapes.

Our 3 year old granddaughter Shannah was modest when we asked her how big her gift should be! 

But we do understand that the size of the gift does not determine the value of it.

A tiny box with a piece of jewelry could be the most expensive of the lot!

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Shannah loves to receive ‘Pregents’! Who doesn’t? 

Although Shannah knew that she was getting a ‘pregent’,

she had to wait patiently until Christmas to receive it.

But when the fullness of the time had come,

God sent forth His Son, born of a woman,

born under the law,

to redeem those who were under the law,

that we might receive the adoption as sons. 

Galatians 4:4-5

This is the core, the centre of the true meaning of Christmas.

Although it may not be that exact day on the Jewish calendar that JESUS was born, 

people all over the world celebrate Christmas
on the 25th of December.

It is the day of the Saviour’s birth.

Christ - mas meaning CHRIST for the masses!

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Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields,

keeping watch over their flock by night.

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them,

and the glory of the Lord shone around them,

and they were greatly afraid.

Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid,

for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy

which will be to all people.

"For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior,

who is Christ the Lord.

"And this will be the sign to you: 

You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." 

Luke 2:8-12

GOD’S special gift was accessible to the humble shepherds

and they received the gift with joy and gratitude.

Don’t we say ‘Thank You’ when we receive gifts?

Then the shepherds returned,

glorifying and praising God

for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Luke 2:20

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Some gifts don’t last long for example a box of chocolates, while others do!

Imagine receiving one gift. 

Then as you open up the wrapping you find a gift and also find another layer of wrapping.

You open it up eagerly and find another gift,

even more precious than the first.

Imagine this goes on for eternity! 

This is the nature of the gift GOD has given to us!

Psalm 104:24

O LORD, how manifold are Your works! 

In wisdom You have made them all. 

The earth is full of Your possessions--

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In the process of exchanging gifts, 

we like to in some way match the value of the gift we give with the value of the gift given to us.

GOD gave His gift of love and He expects us to give all of our love and all of ourselves to Him.

In giving to the LORD, we give ourselves in serving one another in love.

As each one has received a gift,

minister it to one another, 

as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

1 Peter 4:10

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Gifts are a token of GOD’S great love for you.

Even as you open your hand to receive your gift this Christmas,

make sure that you open your heart to receive GOD’S special love for you with thanks.

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

2 Corinthians 9:15