Gifts too Big to be Wrapped

Ann Landers tells the story of her friend that was an attorney who she admired very much.  He once said to her that the greatest gift he ever received in his life was a note his dad gave him on Christmas. It read, "Son, this year I will give you 365 hours - an hour every day after dinner.  We'll talk about whatever you want to talk about. We'll go wherever you want to go, play whatever you want to play. It will be your hour." That dad kept his promise and renewed it every year.

There are just some gifts too big to be wrapped – too big to fit under a tree and won’t break over time.  You know what I’m talking about.  It’s those presents that go far beyond the present.  Maybe it’s making a memory, reenacting a family tradition, serving at a soup kitchen, reserving the time that can never be given quite like that again.  Whether your love language is “gifts” or not, nothing can take the place and make you feel quite like receiving those unwrapped treasures.

Jesus shared that life with us.  When the “wise men” came to offer their gifts, little did they realize the overwhelming gift before them that would still be giving some two thousand years later.  Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Ephesians 2:8 says, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” 

Take time this season to include in your giving those gifts that continue to reveal the everlasting love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord…gifts that are bigger in significance…gifts too big to be wrapped!

What can you plan now to give this Christmas season that will last far longer than something placed under the tree?