Pastor's Blog

Thoughts on a gift

It only happened one time and I remember it vividly. I was 9 years old and there was a present under the tree with my name on it. It didn’t feel or rattle like anything on my wish list. So I began to devise a scheme to figure out what was hidden behind the newspaper wrapping that my family used. It didn’t take long and I was able to talk one of my brothers into telling me what it was. The knowledge brought relief, but also a conundrum. How would I act surprised when I opened it even though I had full knowledge of what it was? I used that present for several years and even today I still remember the guilt I felt about scheming to see what it was.

Fast forward to 2016. A friend of our family’s recently gave my daughter a soap dispenser that plays part of a Christmas carol when you wash your hands. Whenever I hear the sounds of the dispenser, I’m reminded of the generosity of a friend. Two gifts and two very different emotions tied to each gift.

In Colossians 1, Paul addresses what is noted as the “preeminence of Jesus Christ.” This time of year it is very easy to understand the place and priority of Jesus Christ. The Baby in a manger is God’s Gift of Love and Grace. This Child stands as the greatest Gift ever given and each of us must wrestle with this gift. Whether you are a Christ Follower or not, you need to consider the weight of this birth. Paul’s words state that our response to the gift of Jesus Christ should be evident in all we do. This is his prayer and expectation. Consider this week your response to God’s Gift. Follow Paul’s exhortation in Colossians 1:9-14. When you do, you’ll never regret it.

Pastor Dave

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