How many of you have finished your Christmas shopping? I imagine that most of you, like myself, are not even close to finishing your shopping. I have to be honest…more often than not, I struggle with giving gifts. It stresses me out. Gift-giving in our consumer society is not as easy as it should be. We stress out over giving the “perfect” gift to each person on our list. It can make the Christmas season a Christmas struggle. But I want to talk about someone who is the perfect Gift-Giver: God. Let me give you three reasons why God is the perfect Giver.
1. God’s giving is pure.
John 3:16 is the most treasured verse in the Bible. Why? Because it tells us about a loving God. For God so loved the world that He gave. God delights in giving. And ultimately we do too. For me, the favorite thing about Christmas morning is not the gifts I receive, but to see the excitement on my children’s faces about the gifts they have received. On Christmas morning, I truly understand that it is better to give than to receive. It brings me joy. And giving brings joy to God. But God’s giving is absolute pure. Why? Because He is pure. And because He is love. God loves because He is love. God is not just loving; He is love. It is impossible for God to be unloving. So, because God loves, God gives. Because remember this: you can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.
2. God giving is practical.
James 1:17 says “Every good and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” God is the Perfect Giver who gives us perfect gifts. What is the perfect gift? Well, what was the most favorite gift you have ever received. Chances are it was something that you really, really needed and/or wanted. That’s exactly what God has done for us. He has given us what we really need…salvation (eternal and abundant life); and He has given us what we really want…satisfaction for our souls.
3. God’s giving is personal.
Imagine having to gift gifts to millions of people and knowing what to give each one! Well, God does. Jesus said that God knows the needs of the birds, so He definitely knows our needs. So, rest assured, whatever you’re going through, whatever you need, God knows it. And as a good Father, He wants to answer it in the way that will be best for you. And to God that means to be confirmed to the image of Christ. So, God doesn’t always give us exactly what we want when we want it. No good parent does that. Sometimes, as parents, we allow certain things in order to teach our children. In the end, these are gifts…not necessarily for the here and now, but always in the long run.
So, as you’re out shopping (or in shopping on Amazon) this Christmas, remind yourself about the perfect Giver, and about the perfect gifts God has given to you.