Friday, December 18, 2009

What A Gift

What do you expect or wish you will get this Christmas? The lists have been given and the hints have been dropped now all we have to do is wait patiently. I think I know what would really make me happy this Christmas and I hope I've made that perfectly clear!

Sometimes it's the gifts that we didn't expect which bring the most meaning and satisfaction. It's that gift that I never thought about that someone who knew me well knew I would love. I'll never forget the time I bought Bev a gift unannounced. It wasn't Christmas or her birthday. I just found myself wanting to get her something. She liked Fiesta ware and collected the antique dishes. I bought her an antique pitcher and gave it to her one evening.

You would have thought I hung the moon!

With tear filled eyes she told me that was one of the nicest and most romantic gifts I had ever given her. (Note to self: buy more Fiesta!!!) It's amazing what a little forethought and genuine love and appreciation can do to a soul. Especially our spouse.

The Christmas season has become a celebration and also a good excuse for gift giving. The down side is that too often it feels more like an obligation than a privilege. We check off names and hope they like the gift we've chosen. The "safe" gifts are the ones we know they'll like and not have to think too much about. That's not necessarily bad but in my case it can be an excuse to not think too long or creatively.

The beauty of God's gift this Christmas season is that it is the culmination of an eternal plan. He has been planning before the foundations of the world to give the most creative and needed gift the world would ever know. And more than that He chose us to be the recipients of that gift. "...before the foundation of the world...he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ..." Ephesians 1:4,5

It doesn't get any better than that. His gift is exactly what we need.

I want my marriage to be a perpetual reflection of the creative love of God in Christ. I want to put aside my desires for gifts and think more about what would be encouraging and affirming to my wife. Gifts that would last not just for a season but for eternity.

1 comment:

bwsmith said...

Bears repeating, Pastor: ". . . I want my marriage to be a perpetual reflection of the creative love of God in Christ. I want to put aside my desires for gifts and think more about what would be encouraging and affirming to my [husband]. Gifts that would last not just for a season but for eternity."

Thanks for this!