“Dad, what do you want for Christmas?”
I smiled and hugged my son. “I told you, I have everything I need. The only thing I want from you and your sister is for you to make me a Christmas card.” When I shared this story with a friend, he chuckled and said, “They probably said, ‘Dad, can’t I get you a necktie instead?’ “ We both laughed and it is probably true that it would be a lot less effort for them, but then, it would miss the point.
On the window sill in front of my desk in my home, are all the cards that my children have made or given to me for my birthday, Father’s day, and Christmas. While I have appreciated the gifts my children have bought me in the past, I will always hold these handmade cards closest to my heart. They were made only for me and there is no other possession that I have that will ever match these treasures. The great preacher, Charles Spurgeon, eloquently summarized this attitude. “It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.”
For this Christmas, I pray that we reflect upon the reason we celebrate this day. God loved us so much that He gave us His only Son, Jesus Christ, to be born on this earth to become the Savior for everyone who places their trust and faith in Him. How can we ever thank God for this gift? How can we repay Him for His sacrifice of living and dying on this earth for our sins? How can we show Him gratitude for the power of the Resurrection that gives us salvation and eternal life?
He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who orders his way aright
I shall show the salvation of God.
Psalms 50:23 (NASB)
While we may honor God with our possessions and talents, nothing will ever replace the act of simply taking a moment and thanking Him for sending Jesus Christ to us. God is seeking a personal sacrifice of praise because our happiness is complete when we rejoice and thank God for what He has done for our lives. It is our Christmas card to God and honors Him who lavished His love upon us.
Merry Christmas!
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
The Bereans Blog 