For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.’
It’s Christmas Eve today and the start of gatherings to have a meal and open gifts. This time of year, almost everyone gives and receives gifts. I love giving gifts any time of the year, this time of year just gives me a good excuse. I get more out of giving than receiving. It’s just something I love to do.
Gifts are best if they are given from the heart. For me, it doesn’t matter what the gift is, it’s the thought behind it. The love put into picking something special out, wrapping it up in colorful paper, and handing it over to someone else. I love passing out gifts because I feel like I am giving a little bit of my heart to each recipient.
This time of year, I also love contemplating the greatest gift ever given. None comes close to how wonderful this gift was and is. There is so much love behind this gift. So immense we can’t even fully comprehend. It was thoughtfully planned and given at just the right time. It was lovingly wrapped in swaddling clothes. A tiny baby. The moment Love came down to fulfill prophecy and save the world.
The thing I like most about this gift is it isn’t just a one-time gift. Think about it. He said He would come again, and He will! Someday soon He will return. This time not as a small baby but as a King coming out of the clouds to take us home. The first time was to redeem us. The second time will be to accept our gift to Him, our hearts.
He came as Love the first time and will collect love in return the second time. He gave us the first gift. We will give back to Him the second.
Have faith in Him. He came once, He will come again.