The Giver of Gifts

For the past two days, I've been Christmas shopping. And what's funny is, I practically finished my shopping before Thanksgiving. But I LOVE going "shopping" during the actual holiday season. Even if I only walk around the mall or around main street and window shop.

I have a huge family, so there are plenty of things to buy every Christmas. I've only wrapped four gifts! The rest are stacked against the wall in boxes, shoved under my bed, or crammed into my closet. I have quite a bit of wrapping left to do, come to think of it.

At this time of year, we often get too caught up in the gift-getting and gift-giving process. We anxiously and excitedly write out our lists of all the great things we want. We run to the store and buy up plenty of wrapping paper, boxes, bows, ribbon, tape, scissors.... we wrap each gift with care and place it under the tree, then look at it often, pleased with the job we did. Or we browse through all the gifts trying to find that one present with our name written on the card. Gifts, gifts, gifts. Sometimes, we get consumed with gifts, yet we forget about THE GIFT God gave us long ago. When we were desperately in need, God gave us the fulfillment of all - Jesus Christ. And not only that, but He continues to fill us with more gifts throughout our life, in our daily walk with Him!

This is a little reminder - to you all reading and also to myself - gifts are wonderful and fun, but the true gift is Jesus. And we don't get this gift once a year, we get it every moment of every day. Each year, we say "Remember the Reason for the Season!" and it's become clique' because we say it, then forget it entirely. So let's make an effort to TRULY remember the reason, not just for the season, but for every day. Let's remember the reason why we give gifts to begin with; the reason we get gifts. It's all because of Christ who was the Ultimate Gift 2,000 years ago. And everything about this wonderful time of year is due to Him and His birth.

Merry Christmas to all of you!