It was a day for rejoicing and it was a day for sadness. It was a day the angels knew was coming but it was also a day they did not want to come. It was Christmas Day and it was Jesus’s first day on earth which means it was also the angels first day without Jesus in Heaven.
How did it come to this? The humans were given chance after chance to change their ways. There were warnings. The angels visited many humans to tell them what was going to happen. Deep down, the angels knew it was wishful thinking. They knew God’s plan to save the world was in action but still…. In the end they all knew they had to accept God’s will.
The angels had many questions. How long will Jesus be gone? Will the humans listen to him? Will the humans see all the miracles he would perform and still not believe? Will the humans change their evil ways? What would the angels do without him?
Many of the same questions the humans would have many years later when Jesus would leave earth to return to Heaven.
The angels still had a job to do. They went and they spread the good news of Jesus’s birth. They told the shepherds and they told the kings. They told the carpenters and they told the goldsmith. They spread the good news from the lowest valley to the highest mountain.
But yet, on that first day without Jesus in Heaven, they wept. Jesus was missed but they knew he would return. Yes, Jesus would return and they would anxiously await.
There didn’t seem to be much she didn’t want. It seemed like half the toy catalog was written down on her list. Barbies, doll houses, princess things, and dolls. Not to be left out were matchbox cars, board games, Playmobil things, and a football. She even asked for love. She was just a young girl.
Her list changed over the years. Now there were clothes, gift cards, and money on the list. She also asked for iPods, iPads, and other things that start with I. One thing hadn’t changed though, she still asked for love. She was just a teenage girl.
She had most everything she ever wanted. She didn’t have much of a list this year. A new pair of Nikes, some pots and pans for her new apartment, gift cards, and money. Mostly, she just wanted her family to be together. She still was asking for love. She was just a young woman.
She had everything she had asked for. She had been married a few years and had her first child. She asked for her child to be healthy. She asked for her husband to be faithful. She asked for good friends. She asked to be successful in her career. She asked for her bills to be paid. She asked to always be loved. She was just a young mom.
She was confused about her life. Something was missing. She had everything she wanted. She had a great career, she had great friends. She was happily married, had two healthy, happy children and a strong foundation from her parents, but she had forgotten about the one who loved her. Somewhere along the way she had forgotten about her faith. She asked for love. She asked for forgiveness. She was just a young Christian woman.
She thanked God for the life she had. She asked that her children have a relationship with Jesus. She asked that they don’t wait as long as she did to accept Jesus in her life. She asked that they realize how much they are loved. She knew the gift that Jesus had given her. He was born, He lived, and He died on the cross for her sins. She asked for love and she received the love of her Heavenly Father. She received a gift she could never pay back. A gift given to her a long time ago. She just had to be open to receiving it. She was just a woman on her journey to eternal life.
She asked for one more day. She asked for memories she couldn’t recall. She shed a tear for a child lost too young. She asked to see her parents again. She remembered Christmas past. She asked if she had done enough. She thanked God for the gift of love He had given her. She was just a woman at the end of her days here on earth. She was just a woman, filled with joy for the life she had lived. She was just a woman that loves God. She was just a woman that accepted His gift.
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, how many presents under your branches are for me?
How many presents are under the tree for Jesus? It is his birthday. He is the reason for the season.
What presents can you give to Jesus you wonder? There are many and I bet you have never thought of them. Maybe some of you are giving Him these presents every day. Maybe some of you give them one day and take them back the next.
Present one: trust. Do you give him all your trust? Do you trust him even when things are going bad? Do you trust his plans for your life? Do you trust him completely, 100%? If not, maybe this year is the year you give him the present of your trust.
Present two: your heart. Do you give him your heart? Does he come first in your heart? What does your heart treasure the most? That new job promotion? Your wife? Your football team? This season put Jesus first in your heart.
Present three: love people. Do you truly love others? Do you know your neighbor’s names? Have you forgiven those that have hurt you? Have you reached out to people that may not know about Jesus? Do you live your life that will lead other people to Jesus? Are you making disciples?
Present four: family. Is Jesus part of your family? Do you talk to him like you do your spouse or children? Do you share with him your heart? Do other members of your family treat him like he is part of the family?
Present five: time. How much of your time have you given Jesus today? Have you set any time out of your busy day to just spend with him? Five minutes of quiet time with just you and him? Two minutes? One ?
This post was inspired by a devotional I read that really spoke to me so I wanted to share it with you.
What other gifts can you think of that you can give to Jesus? Not only on Christmas but every day.
