2:6 – What Presents Did you Get For Christmas

#faithbites #faithjourney presents

Christmastime is a great time for giving and receiving of presents. Did you get everything on your list? I was extremely blessed with the gifts I received. Some were fun like a 3D Pen, others were practical like clothes. I love getting presents, but the most fun was seeing my girls and family open their gifts. The anticipation, the joy, and delight in getting what they had been hoping for “all year”. So much fun.

Today, as I learned in Church, is Epiphany. It is the day that God revealed his plan to everyone (not just the Jewish people). He came to the Magi or Wise Men, who weren’t Jewish, and told them of Christ. God said we all share share equally in Jesus’s gifts. For those playing at home, those gifts are forgiveness and eternal life. No present I ever get or give will even come close to that.

Scripture

• And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. – Ephesians 3:6 (NLT)
• On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. – Matthew 2:10
• The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. – Hebrews 1:3

Reflection

I often wondered what it would be like to have someone come and give me gold, frankincense, and myrrh. First I had to google it find out what the second two were, but I digress. Those gifts, while much more valuable than gifts I have given and received, still pale when you consider that Jesus is the exact representation of his being. A perfect person, as God is perfect, laid down his life to give us the gifts of forgiveness and eternal life. I’m in awe of how precious those gifts are.

As awesome as those gifts are, we see in Ephesians, that these gifts aren’t just for the Jewish People. Jesus gives these gifts for EVERYONE. For All. Tomorrow we will talk more about division and multiplication, but for today, remember that no matter who you are, where you came from, or what you have done, you can be forgiven and have eternal life through Jesus. I don’t know about you, but that beats any gift I can get even at awesome Black Friday prices.

Charge

Today’s charge is a little different in that it is more internally focused. Take 5 minutes today to reflect on the presents Jesus has given us. Think about how no matter what you have done or who you are you can be forgiven, can be given eternal life, and are entitled to all things through Christ.

Prayer

Lord, as we exit the Christmas season, let us remember that while the gifts we give and receive are special and welcome, the presents we have through your son are second to none. Help us to remember the gift of forgiveness and the gift of eternal life. Be with us in our thoughts, actions, and deeds so we always try to be Christ-like in our giving and receiving. Amen.