Gifts

Christmas is a time to give and receive gifts. As Cliff Richard reminded us in his 1988 song Mistletoe and Wine, ‘It's a time for giving, a time for getting’.

The Bible describes Jesus our Saviour as a GIFT. “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 2 Cor 9:15

Some time after Jesus was born, we have the wise men - the Magi bringing gifts to the new born King. “And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11

When Jesus ascended into heaven He gave spiritual gifts to His people. “But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says,“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” Ephesians 4:7-8

In the midst of suffering, it is important that we take time thank God for the gifts that we sometimes overlook. Each new day, sunshine, family, friends, food and drink, creation, life and breath.

Our son was born in February 2015 and we named him Nathanael a name given to us by God. The name Nathanael from John chapter 1 in the Bible actually means ‘gift of God’ or ‘God has given’ and after a 10 year gap after his sisters he certainly was God’s gift to us.

Fast forward seven years and we encounter the most horrific thing possible when Nathanael (God’s gift to us) is run over by our own car sustaining a severe brain injury and life changing injuries.

How can this be possible? to receive such a beautiful gift and then have to endure the pain and utter devastation of watching him be completely broken. Why?

However, during these past 20 months what we’ve come to realise is that Nathanael, in spite of his disabilities and how challenging life has become, is God’s very SPECIAL GIFT to us. When God gives a gift it is up to Him how He gives it, how He uses it and how He changes the gift in His timing.

Yes, Nathanael has changed and life is difficult, but how thankful we are to still have him with us, that our beautiful gift hasn’t been taken away from us completely and that we have the privilege of watching God reveal His healing renewing work in our son, our gift.

Many people at this time of the year mourn the loss of their gift, when they have lost loved ones to death. I personally know people who are struggling this season because of that great loss. We know in part, that suffering, Nathanael with us and yet we we have encountered a loss in him, we have lost a part of him.

God does know each of us, He knows the pain, the loss and our suffering. The GIFT that God gave every one of us in Jesus, His own Son, is now able to come and comfort those who mourn.

In this life, we will all lose gifts. We may lose a son, a daughter, a dear friend, a brother or sister, our parents. But for those of us who are in Christ we have a bright tomorrow. The day is coming when we will see that gift again and the gift will never leave our side ever again. We will have the GIFT of eternity to enjoy our gifts. And better still all gifts will be perfect, spotless with no blemishes, no imperfections as indeed we all will be. We will enjoy each other like never before. And the best of all is that we will know God’s inexpressible gift, Jesus Christ like we’ve never known Him here.

Then we will see Him face to face and we will know fully of what Paul said in Romans 6:23 “…but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

We have all had the experience of looking forward to opening gifts on Christmas day. The expectation and excitement is heightened as we get closer to the day. We should be like this when it comes to the gift of eternal life. We too should have an expectancy and excitement about seeing and experiencing the ultimate GIFT in all of its fullness. Oh what a glorious future we have ahead of us.

Today, through any pain we might have, through and challenges and sufferings we may know, let us grasp the gift of Jesus’ presence with each of us.

Prayer - Dear Father, we want to thank You for the gifts that You put before us each day. We want to especially say thank You for sending Your Son as a gift to us so that we can experience the life to come and this is a free gift to all of us who believe. Help Lord, those who are suffering and have lost gifts. Bring Your comfort we pray. Amen!