December 4: Gifts

And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.*

A few days ago (November 28) was the USA tradition of Thanksgiving. There are so many small gifts that we take for granted. God gives them, and we forget to say thank you. Each day. Each meal we eat. Each safe commute to work. Each friend we have. Each penny we own. Our health. We say that we deserve them, but in my heart I know how much I really don't. I'm not worthy of the abundance I have, it's way above and beyond what I deserve!

Christmas is a time to give and receive gifts, I'm not much of a gift person, so I find this season challenging. Remembering to give good gifts and being thankful for all the gifts, great and small. But why do we only spend one (or two) days a year thinking of giving gifts or receiving gifts. And if Christmas really about how many and what presents we get? Or is it about a more significant and life changing Gift that God gave to the world? God's gracious gift of life, a solution to the worlds problems, an answer to our brokenness, a clear and safe passage for us at His own expense!

But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.**

What's amazing to me is that gifts are things we give away, and mostly don't feel regret about. Also, we give them away, and don't demand a return gift, although the custom of sharing is there. God's gift of grace is free, and it does not demand that we give something (our time, or money) to God in return or pay-back. Rather God's gift of forgiveness is one we only receive, and in receiving we allow it to change and transform us. The transformation will cause us to actions of generosity with time and money and skills, but they are an outworking and thankfulness of the gift we have received rather than a way of proving we earned or deserved the gift. I'm sure God doesn't regret the gift he gave of His Son, but I hope we don't forget just how precious, unique and wonderful this gift is.

I hope that this Christmas season will be a time to reflect on the Gift of God and the many small blessings we get from God every day of the year, and only in response to that abundant love and generosity seek to share that joy with others!

*Ecclesiastes 3:13

**Romans 5:15-17