I remember back when Katie was about 8 years old someone was kind enough to take her Christmas shopping. When she got home she was bursting at the seams to tell me what she bought me for Christmas. I remember standing in her room and she was so excited she just blurted out “It’s Jerry McGuire!!!” and began to laugh hysterically. She knew I loved that movie and was so happy that she got me the perfect gift she couldn’t wait to give it to me.

As we enter into this season of giving I reflect of course on the greatest gift ever given and that was Jesus Christ. How excited God must be as He says “I have this gift, just for you. It’s perfect, you’ll love it and all you have to do is reach out and receive it.” You see you can know who God is but He wants so much more. When you receive the gift of Jesus, you can enter into a relationship with Him. We all can recite the scripture – “For God so loved the world that He gave us His only son; that whosoever believes in him with have eternal life.”

Step one – God gives the WORLD his only son. Not just good people, not just a specific denomination, not just people we see as living right….no it says God so loved the WORLD.

Step two – that whosoever believes in Him (Jesus) will have eternal life. It can be anyone, even you. This requires action on our part. We need to believe.

Now, I know for me I didn’t really think God was that interested in giving me a gift. I didn’t really feel like I deserved it after all I had done. I was probably on the naughty list. But God wants to give this precious gift to everyone. I just finished my Christmas shopping and I didn’t hesitate for a second to make sure all of our children and grandchildren received gifts. It would never even enter my mind to leave one of them off the list because of something they did wrong! Same with God. He loves us all the same and has this precious give for each and every one of us. You just need to receive it. Romans 10:9 says “If you declare with your mouth that ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

During this season of giving, take time to receive the love of God through the gift of His son Jesus. Go back and read through the scriptures related to the birth of Christ during this season and think about how much He loves you. Matthew 1: 18 – 25

Father as we approach this most beautiful season of Thanksgiving and Christmas let us be reminded of how thankful we are for what is most important. The love of family and friends but most of all your love for us and the gift of Jesus. I pray God that those who don’t know you would begin a relationship with you this season. Let even those that feel like they have nothing to be thankful for and don’t really have any gifts to give be touched by your spirit with a warmth and love like they have never known.

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas