Looking back, do you have a particularly fond memory of a Christmas gift you once received?
It may be the gift itself or may reflect more the person who gave it you.
As a child, I guess my favourite was probably my first bike, which gave me such freedom to get around to see friends, admittedly on roads much quieter than today. On the other hand, I do recall my Scalextric set and the Subbuteo game which gave hours of excitement. What about the footballs and my first Macclesfield Town shirt?
Throughout my childhood I received so many great presents, it’s hard to decide which was the most memorable – I begin to wish I had never asked myself the question!
As I reflect on the many good gifts that my parents and friends sent me, I am reminded of a key scripture from Matthew 7:11
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
As we approach this Christmas, one gift overshadows anything else we will ever receive. God gave Himself in the form of that baby in Bethlehem.
A Saviour has been born!
(Luke 2:11)
As a result, whoever we are, we can know the joy of ‘Emmanuel’ – God with us.
In the run up to Christmas, when the desire to get everything right can overwhelm us, we must not allow our busyness to obscure our appreciation of this wonderful Good News.
Let’s allow every gift we give, and every gift we receive, to be a reminder of God’s immense love.
Happy Christmas!
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