The beautiful but discarded Christmas wrapping paper on the floor and the smiley, happy children playing with new toys are both signs of a wonderful Christmas Day. They are indications that presents have been given and received. And how do we feel when we receive presents? Usually, when we receive thoughtful gifts carefully chosen by people who know us well, we feel loved and blessed.
But what if there was a wrapped present left sitting under the tree? It would have been chosen and purchased to bless the recipient. But this gift has been overlooked; it remains unopened and therefore unused. Aww, it’s a little sad if that happens!
But what if there are gifts that God has for us that remain overlooked, unopened, and unused? God knows us, in fact He knows us very well. He is kind, He is love, and He knows what we need. Matthew 7:11 says,
“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!”
I believe His gifts for all believers include:
Jesus Himself as our High Priest (Hebrews 4:15)
salvation (Ephesians 2:8), adoption into His family (Ephesians 1:6)
the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:22)
the armour of God (Ephesians 6:10–18)
spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12 & 14).
These are beautiful and amazing gifts for all believers. However, I believe that there are also more personal gifts that God gives to us, for example:
specific answers to our prayers, healing, peace in storms, etc.
I really don’t want to arrive in heaven at the end of my days and see gifts that I needed—and that God had provided for me—left abandoned and unclaimed because I didn’t ask! Living a life surrendered to Jesus in our world is not easy, and if there are gifts that could help me, then I will ask for His help and His supply.
As we give and receive gifts this Christmas, please remember the wondrous gifts purchased for us by the sacrifice of Jesus.
And finally, Hebrews 4:16: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
AngeLisa Crafts 