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Hebrews 10:4-7
For the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins. 5 So when he came into the world, he said, “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me. 6 Whole burnt offerings and sin-offerings you took no delight in. 7 “Then I said, ‘Here I am: I have come – it is written of me in the scroll of the book – to do your will, O God.’”
Hebrews 10:11-14
11 And every priest stands day after day serving and offering the same sacrifices again and again – sacrifices that can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 where he is now waiting until his enemies are made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by one offering he has perfected for all time those who are made holy.
Giving gifts comes naturally for some and is more difficult for others. We ponder what it is that will bless the other person’s socks off, but also have to consider other variables, like cost and availability. Christ demonstrated so much in His giving that we all can seek to aspire to.
He gave willingly. Sacrificially. Selflessly. Humbly. His gift was costly – beyond measure. He gave to those who were His enemies. His gift was so profound, He only had to give it once and it supplied our need for all eternity. He did so out of obedience. There is no comparison between a gift like that and anything we could ever give, but there are aspects of His gift giving that we can aspire to.
I take delight in buying gifts for those I love and for those I do not know. Bringing joy to someone else makes me happy; especially if I can discover something that their heart has been secretly yearning for. Sometimes, though, Christmas can be a let-down in our material world. Maybe we don’t get what we are wanting or others we give gifts to feel less than thrilled with what they have received. What then?
We can pull out the argument that starving children would be thankful, or contemplate what Jesus gave us, but ultimately, it all comes back to gratitude in the recognition that we never deserved a gift in the first place. It is not even our birthday – it is His. And He chose to give Himself away on that day.
What does He want us to give in return? Our hearts to Him. He has pursued us with a relentless, unconditional love. May we give of ourselves in such a manner, all for His glory.
Lord, thank You for showing us how to give. Help us to have Your heart of giving this Christmas and every day of the year.