My true love gave to me
Don’t you just love the old Christmas song “The Twelve Days of Christmas”? I’m sitting in a beautiful café writing these words, and this old carol is going through my mind. Everybody seems to love this song because it’s focused on two dynamic truths: love and gift giving.
It made me think about the love that God has for you. It’s unconditional, immeasurable, and limitless. In fact, the Bible explains the love of God like this: “...And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19, NIV)
friend, I’m praying that you will receive this love during this Christmas season. God is unapologetic about His love for you, just as you are. The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV) The love of God propels Him to give to you and everyone you love.
It’s no surprise to see all of us giving gifts to our loved ones. It’s natural to help the poor and those who are broken during the Christmas season. Christmas is all about love and giving because that is the Good News of the story of the Savior, the manger, the shepherds, and the wise men. The whole Christmas story is packed full of the gifts of God, the heavenly angels, and God’s divine love. I believe that He will give you gifts this Christmas. Santa will not drop presents from heaven, but God will because He’s the giver of all good gifts: “‘If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!’” (Matthew 7:11, NIV) And what a joy it is for us in turn to give back to Him our worship and adoration!
friend, Christmas traditions may leave you feeling empty or abandoned, but be assured that Jesus is real and loves you beyond anything you can imagine. It’s Good News because you are a miracle and many good things are about to happen!
