Devotion: Gifts
Gifts
Please take the time to read Romans 13:8-10 and Matthew 3:1-6
I used to pride myself on finding the perfect gift for loved ones at Christmas. In recent years, I’ve found myself struggling. Maybe it’s because most of my family has “aged out” of the fun-to-buy gifts? More likely, it’s because I haven’t given myself the appropriate brain space to put thought into my gift giving. Regardless, this usually devolves into me grabbing the “perfect” gift card.
Not to give myself a free pass, but maybe that’s what God is giving to each of us. He’s giving us the gift card of love through sending Jesus to be among us. And we’re supposed to spend this gift generously, in our own way, with our neighbors.
When Pastor Eric asked our kids what they wished for for Christmas during the children’s sermon on Sunday, one boy quickly raised his hand and said, “I wish for people to be happy.” Completely unexpected. And he gets the true meaning of gift giving.
Pastor Eric went on in his sermon to say that gift giving is a reminder that Jesus is in each of us and this is the way we see Christ in each other. It’s a way to free us from our self-serving egos.
Our scripture for today sums it up best, “love your neighbor as yourself.” To me, this is at the core of being a Christian.
In this holiday season, may we take the time to give special gifts of love to ALL of our neighbors, regardless of different backgrounds and place in life. May we be purposeful in preparing for God’s perfect gift of love coming down in the form of the birth of his only son.
Dear God, In this advent season, remind me to share the gift of the love of Jesus Christ. Help me to use the gifts you have given me to build up my neighbors and love them in real ways at Christmas and all of the days. Give me time to reflect on the gift you have given us to send your one and only son to be among us to teach us this love.
Written by Randy Hawthorne
Having a rivaled human network, Randy makes it his personal mission to connect those humans to their next big thing. Randy has decades of experience in the nonprofit industry, having served as a professional and volunteer in a variety of organizations.
He enjoys mentoring students and entrepreneurs, occasionally makes his way to a theater stage, geeks out on local history and goes on dining adventures.