The Wondrous Gift

Luke 2:11, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8, Luke 21:1-4

One of the things I truly love to do is to give unexpectedly. To random strangers. It just takes a few dollars a week, and just a few seconds of my time. I don’t make a big to-do out of it. Just hand it over and move on before they can even realize what’s occurred.

Why do I do this? You know, I could spend the next hour trying to write a treatise here on the joy of giving, the importance of blessing others. I could throw in a few clichés for good measure. But I’m not going to do that. The bottom line is this: I have been given a magnificent gift- a Savior. This Child that we are celebrating this time of year bought my redemption on the cross where He died. He offered me a free gift of complete salvation. Maybe I can honor Him just a little by being generous to other people.

Honestly, it’s just a Chick-Fil-A gift card. Nothing glorious or glamorous, and certainly nothing divine or remotely religious. But when I give this little gift with a heart full of gratitude for my Savior and full of a measure of the grace that’s been given to me, then that chicken sandwich becomes an instrument of love and honor.

And no, I don’t want to “pay-it-forward.” I want to look the person I’m giving to in the eye and let them see a gleam of joy and gratitude. I want them to see a little bit of the light of Jesus in my eyes. I want them to experience the feeling of my hand touching their hand as the gift is passed to them and hope that they feel accepted and affirmed in that small less-than-a-second exchange.

Today, I want to challenge you to do the same thing. What tangible thing can you give? Reflect on the gift of salvation that has been offered to you, and on what you can do this Advent season to express your gratitude for this wondrous gift. Then, go and do it.