It’s a few days past Christmas now, but if the lights are still up in my neighborhood, then a Christmas reflection can still be up on the blog.
There’s no question where the biggest and most expensive gifts come from December 25. Kids always make out with the most loot. But the exchange goes both ways. Parents to children and children to parents. Everyone shows up with something to give, even if everyone knows that the biggest ‘givers’ are the parents.
Is that how it works with God? We give him our little gifts but he, of course, gives us the biggest gifts? Not really.
Imagine a Christmas morning when everyone shows up empty handed except the father. Then, after the presents are opened and enjoyed, the kiddos wrap a few of them back up and give them to dad. Strange, but cute.
And it happens this way year after year. Even when the ‘kids’ are on into their 40s. Strange, and now getting awkward. Still sheer receivers. Everyone knows there’s really only one giver here. So, with David, as we receive everything with thankfulness and offer our lives in response, we gladly confess:
Who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own we have given you (1 Chron. 29:14).
Our Father gave his Son for us that he might give himself and all good things to us. So we continue to receive Christ and all of God’s good gifts with empty hands, filled with thankfulness and joy. We say “thank you” not only when we receive, but also when we give. Year after year, day after day. Merry Christmas.
