“The Gift”
Written by Kelly Garner
There is something special about getting a gift from someone. I think it might be that you feel honored in some way, that they are freely giving you something of their own. It is especially meaningful when you did not plan to give them anything back, not reciprocated in any way. The “giver” might have intended to surprise you, expecting nothing in return.
I received a gift this Christmas that surprised me. It was presented to me in a beautiful package with a bow and a nametag. Unprepared to be honored in such a way, I stood stunned for a moment while tears filled my eyes. I opened it slowly, not wanting to unwrap it because it was so beautiful. I took a photo of the package and a photo of the nametag itself. I could not believe the “giver” had gone to the trouble of doing all of that just for me. The family member that gave it to me even videoed me while I was opening it. I kept taking my time as I took off every piece of tape, but realized I would never know about the contents until I opened it.
What I have not told you yet is that I lost my mother in October of 2022. Mother was the giver of many gifts at Christmas. She would start making her list of names in September of all the people to whom she wanted to either give a gift, a piece of her artwork, or a homemade cake. She thought long and hard about what would be the perfect gift for that person, wanting it to be something they would cherish or be very useful. In the instance of giving them a homemade cake, she wanted it to be their favorite and probably hoped they would dive into it instantly.
When it comes to gifts, we have to think back about a gift that was given to offer every single one of us a chance to wipe away every sin we have ever committed, every failure, every blemish. God gave us a gift that would give hope to all of humanity. He gave it freely, not expecting anything in return. He gave just wanting us to receive it. He gave us Jesus, His son in human form, so that we could receive redemption and everlasting life. Jesus would hang on a cross, bleed and die, to be the sacrificial lamb that would cover our sin. That gift was given then, but our job is to receive it now.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
As believers, those of us who have received and accepted the gift, we have to decide if we are going to unwrap it and unpack everything that might be contained inside. There is no way of knowing what you have received until you have unwrapped it. I think that unwrapping the gift that God gave is the act of “digging in” and trying to understand it. God gave us a guidebook, a manual, to understand the gift He gave. It is called His Word, the Bible. That being said, I have come to the realization that it is not only the act of reading it. It is the act of reading, searching, and using it as a manual to help us “unpack” the gift.
“Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord; Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have told of all the ordinances of your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word.” (Psalm 119:11-17)
You are probably wondering what was in my package, my gift. All I will tell you is that it was something that would cover me up and keep me warm. It made me think of that constant covering that God gives us, His hope, His peace, once we have received and opened…The Gift!
