So… how is your Christmas shopping going? I just started mine on Friday. I am being completely honest when I say that Christmas is the only time that actually enjoy shopping. I love picking out gifts for those I love.
Which do you prefer, giving gifts or receiving gifts? I definitely enjoy giving gifts over receiving them. By the way, no need to feel guilty if you enjoy receiving gifts — some of us have the love language of receiving gifts that make us feel loved by others. We are all wired differently.
I really enjoyed giving my children Christmas gifts when they were young because I loved seeing the joy on their faces when they were gifted with something they desired. Their whole
demeanor would light up in excitement.
If you have seen the movie A Christmas Story maybe you remember the scene where Ralphie— unexpectedly — receives his Red Ryder BB Gun. Did you know that he mentions wanting one 22 times in the movie? Pretty hard to miss what his dream Christmas present was… and dad didn’t miss it either.
Of course, we give Christmas presents today in part because the Magi brought Jesus gifts at his birth. Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh were very lavish gifts indeed for a young family from the village of Nazareth, and they certainly came in handy when the family fled to Egypt to avoid Herod’s heinous decree of murdering children born in Bethlehem.
Certainly though, the best reason that we give gifts to loved ones on Christmas is to celebrate the Greatest Gift Ever Given — Jesus. I love the joy expressed by the angel in the gift of Jesus to those frightened shepherds the night Jesus was born. “I bring you
good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of
David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11) Good news that will bring great joy!
What a gift we have received in Jesus! David wrote: “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt.” (Psalm 32:1-2) David wrote this Psalm after he repented and sought God’s forgiveness over his adultery with Bathsheba, and the psalm expresses the joy that is found in the freedom from guilt.
Why is there “great joy” at Christmas? Joy is found in the Good News that a Savior was born so that we could be freed from the guilt and consequences of sin. Maybe this Christmas as you give and receive gifts you could pause and remember the greatest gift ever given — and the joy it has brought to so many people.
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