We’re so stoked about this little piece!! My wonderful, pint-size, godly-example-of-a-biblically-beautiful-woman Mama was blessed to have had the opportunity of leading some lovely women in a Bible study this past semester. It recently came to a close but she wanted to leave them with something a little different, going into the time of chaos that tends to accompany the end of every year (year… not world 😀 ).
So God brought her on a crazy ride through His Word, gave her an insight to Christmas most of us may have never experienced before, and readied her to share it. I challenge y’all to allow this new perspective change the way you and yours go into the next few days and hopefully the many, many more to come. We are so excited to have our first real Guest Blogger(!!), so without further a-due (I’ve always wanted to say that) here is my beautiful mother, Jeanine Thibodeaux!
“The Perfect Gift”
As I ponder on the thought of “gift-giving” and “gift-receiving” and how tremendously consuming it is for us this time of year, I’ve concluded it to be the main source of stress for so many of us. We run around from store to store like little elves on speed, attempting to find the perfect gift for each person on our list (yes, even including the naughty list). Alongside of little Billy, Sally and Uncle Bob’s names are all of their sizes, favorite colors, sports team, likes, dislikes, etc. Then, the highlight of our shopping extravaganza arrives when we finally find that “perfect gift” for that hard-to-buy-for person (we all have them)! The only problem is the price tag. It is more than we’ve budgeted to spend on this person. After a brief moment of contemplation, the decision is made. Since we’ve alreadyblown our budget in other areas and can’t seem to allow this “perfect gift” opportunity to slip by, we decide to make the purchase by whipping out the plastic card that’s already hot!
December 25th arrives. Aaaahhhh… The joy we experience in seeing our family members rip open the pretty packages they’ve been eyeing under the tree. Our anticipations are heightened as we observe the first expression on the faces of our loved ones, as they open the gift that we have put forth so much time, thought, effort and are now in debt for. Then the New Year arrives… Many of theChristmas gifts that have been received and given have either been returned, broken, misplaced, ‘re-gifted’ or put away. The joy is gone and credit card bills have come.
Does this sound all too familiar to you? It certainly does to me!
From the very beginning, our Father had each and every one of us on His mind as He began to plan for our “Perfect Gift”. Throughout scripture, beginning in Genesis 3:15, we can read of every carefully thought-out detail of the Master Giver’s plan to deliver His Gift to us. John 3:15 describes this gift well!
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17 (NIV)
The four gospels give an account of the deliverance of our Gift… As preparations were in progress for the Gift offering, our Father held firmly in His hand one list of names: a naughty list. Many people had heard of this gift to come and even made efforts to get on His nice list. Unfortunately, most of them became impatient in their waiting. As a result, they abandoned the hope and faith they once held dear and resumed with their old lives of self-will and self-gratification. In fact, it was on a cold, dark (except for an ever-so-bright star in the sky) night that many were self-indulging in the town festivities when the long-anticipated Gift arrived. This most precious Gift was ushered in by an array of heavenly lights and a singing telegram performed by the grandest of choirs. Sadly, the darkness was so thick and the noises so loud in the little town of Bethlehem, this event that would forever change the world remained unnoticed.
For thousands of years, God placed much time, effort and thought into this Perfect Gift. He paid a very high price, yet the Gift is priceless. In fact, it cost the Giver His most prized possession. Whether or not there was ever much contemplating involved, I don’t know. Nevertheless, because of His great love for the recipients, He went forth with His decision. He anticipated with great joy, the expressions on His beloved children’s faces when they finally opened this long-awaited priceless Gift. Unfortunately, at the time of deliverance, many turned the Gift away because they had no room. Many refused the Gift because the package wasn’t pretty enough. Many were too self-absorbed in their own busy activities that they ignored the Gift altogether. There were a few however, that realized the great value of this Gift. Mary was one who realized that a Gift so precious and valuable had to be shared. She selflessly and carefully wrapped this beautiful Gift (in swaddling clothes) and realized the greatest joy would be for her to share Him with the world!
Two thousand years ago, God presented to the world the most perfect, precious Gift. The Gift made its way from the cradle to the cross with very few even noticing. This Gift is so perfect because it is unique (no other like it). It serves multiple purposes. You can take it anywhere. There is no work or upkeep in maintaining this everlasting Gift. You can even share it with as many people as you wish and still have plenty left for yourself. And, best of all, you can have it even if you’re on the naughty list! All you have to do is open the package. You don’t even have to wait until Christmas morning! In fact, I urge you NOT to wait until Christmas morning because it may no longer be available by then.
The greatest gift we’ll ever receive is the gift of eternal salvation through God’s Son, Jesus Christ. He was sent for all of us… from the lowest of Shepherds to the highest of Kings…
* Do you have room in your heart to let Him in or is it too cluttered with sin and worldly possessions?
* Has the package been put up for years, still unopened, collecting dust? Perhaps you’ve put it away thinking, that since it was likely something of no use to you at the time, it might serve a better purpose to be used for a “rainy day”?
* Were you offered the package, but for some reason gave it back?
* If the package were put under your tree this year, would you open it and receive it with great joy? And, would you share it?
* What would YOU give in return to the greatest Giver whom has given you the greatest Gift of all? He doesn’t need anything. After all, He does own the universe and everything in it! He is not interested in temporal works. But, we will have an opportunity one day, to present Him with gifts. So, what DOES our gracious Heavenly Father want? You’ve asked everyone else on your list this Christmas. Why don’t you ask Him!
Merry CHRISTmas, everyone!
xxoo,
Christine
dazzle & daisies 