Readings: Psalm 34:15-18, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 1:5-17
Perfect Gift
I asked Dad what he wanted for Christmas, and he said a 3-Wood. He recently golfed his age, which is pretty awesome, just to inform you non-golfers. Buying him a golf club is like asking someone to buy me blue jeans. You have to try out a couple dozen to get the right fit. Sometimes it’s hard to get someone the perfect gift, even if you know what they want. In Luke’s Gospel reading above, the Lord promised Zechariah and Elizabeth a wondrous gift - a son. “He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.” Yea! The perfect gift they had prayed for! Their son, known as John the Baptist, lived an unusual life due to his calling from the Lord. They knew the Giver of the wondrous gift was perfect, and His plan for John was to “make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” He sacrificed all to do that. The gift of a person, as in a child, or spouse, or miraculous healing that restores life, as significant as that is, obviously doesn’t compare to the gift of Jesus Christ our Savior. I’m going to get my dad a gift card for the golf club, so he can find just the right one. That made me think of salvation oddly enough, and that Jesus gives us all a gift card of sorts. When the time is right, we simply turn back to Him and say, “I’d like to use this gift card now. You, Jesus, are my perfect gift, the perfect fit in my heart, the joy of my life.” He takes us through the gift card of the cross and cries, “Redeemed!” He sacrificed all to do that. I am humbled, amazed and awe-struck with fresh feelings of gratitude at the perfect gift of Jesus. Hope you are, too. Joyous Christmas blessings to you, Redeemed Friends! ~ Tracy