When children receive gifts, they usually get so excited.  Don’t they? 

Children love to receive gifts.  Sometimes we are like that as well.  Sometimes we even pay more attention to the gift, than to the one who went to the trouble of getting it.  Now, there is nothing wrong with gifts.  We give them, and receive them.  But it’s where our heart is that matters. 

Let’s say that your spouse gives you a gift.  You open it.  It is something that really suprises you.  It’s a great gift.  You didn’t expect it, but it’s something that you had really wanted for so long.  After you receive the gift, what do you do?  Do you hug the gift?  Of course not!  You drop the gift, go to your spouse, and you give your spouse a hug, or even a kiss.  The gift was great.  But it was your spouse who went to the trouble of doing what it took, to get you what you desired.  We get closer to what Christmas is all about, when we thank and embrace those whom we love, and not the gifts that we receive from them. 

What about when God gives us gifts.  Like what?  Well, if you can see with your eyes, you should be able to see at least one of them.  Every single day that we have can be seen as a gift from God, the Giver of all good things.  But sometimes we get confused between the gifts and the Giver.  Don’t we? 

The temptation to embrace the gifts of God is great.  If embracing His gifts gives us much joy, what kind of joy would we receive if we embraced Him instead?  Sometimes it all comes down to this; do we seek to embrace God, or the gifts that He gives? 

Now, the gifts of God are great.  Who can give better gifts than the Creator of the universe?  But He is the Creator, and everything ultimately belongs to Him.  He wants His people to want Him.  God wants His people to run to Him, and not to the things that He gives. 

That’s why on Christmas Day so many years ago, God provided the Way for us to get to Him.  That way was, is, and will be Jesus Christ.  And He is all that we need.  Let’s run to Him, and not to the gifts that He gives. 

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”   -Matthew 1:21

About the Author:

http://www.init-2-winit.org 

http://www.init-2-winit.org/faithlikeamustardseed