Despite the many challenges and disappointments of 2020, this year’s Thanksgiving was extra special in that our entire family was able to celebrate this holiday together. Our youngest son Timothy had contracted COVID-19 but recovered and was released from quarantine just three days prior. Our oldest son Matthew drove all the way up from Florida to join us in upstate New York on Thanksgiving Eve. We hadn’t seen him for more than a year. Yet the Lord graciously allowed us to celebrate this special holiday together.
One of the highlights of our extended weekend was when our children gave their mom an early birthday present. (Ruthie’s birthday is December 18, but the kids wanted to present their gift in person.) You can see the joy on our children’s faces as Ruthie opened their gift — a gift of love, from all to one.
At Christmas we celebrate another gift of love — not from all to one, but from One to all. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16).
Our gifts to one another should remind us of God’s ultimate gift to us.
The deepest love
resulted in the greatest gift
that came at the ultimate cost.
Whereas my children presented their gift a bit early, God sent his Son when the proper time had fully come (see Gal. 4:4-5). Why? So that we could be forgiven of our sin and live forever in perfect fellowship with him.
When my children presented their gift to their mother, all Ruthie had to do was receive it. She did not contribute anything to it because the gift was already bought and paid for by those who loved her. The same is true with respect to our salvation. “And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God” (1 Pet. 1:19 NLT).
How should we respond to this priceless, precious, perfect gift?
Receive it. Faith is the hand that receives God’s gift. “For by grace you are saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8).
Rejoice in it. Jesus said to his followers, “rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).
Reflect on it. “Consider what great things [the Lord] has done for you” (1 Sam. 12:24).
To help us do that, each G.E.T. (Gospel Encouragement Today) devotional from now through Christmas Day will focus on one aspect of God’s gift to us. I hope you’ll join us as we celebrate this Advent Season by exploring the wonder of God’s gift together.