Have you ever thought about how to open a gift? With Christmas only two days away, I’ve been thinking about Christmases past. One Christmas memory, in particular, stands out in my mind.
It was many Christmases ago — when my son was three years old. I learned a few things about gifts that year. It was Christmas Eve and as is our tradition, we spent the evening with my extended family. We ate dinner together, and after a while, gifts were given to each of the children. I looked around the room, smiling as I watched all the kids tearing open their gifts, excitement evident on their faces.
That’s when I heard a sweet little voice calling me. “Mom!” I turned and there was David, not one gift opened. “What David?” I asked. “Can I open this one?” he asked, pointing to the top gift in his stack. “Yes, David. Open it,” I replied. With a gleam in his eye, he carefully opened the box and exclaimed at its contents. “Look, Mom!” After sharing his excitement over it, I helped him return it to the box. So, I fully expected him to go on to the next gift, but instead, he looked up at me and said, “Can I open this one?” As before, he carefully opened the box, jumping up and down when he saw what it was.
That’s the way it went. Before opening each gift he asked if he could “open this one.” After receiving permission, he opened each gift, wonder written all over his face. He was quite overwhelmed at receiving so many gifts. When we were leaving, he was surprised he could take them home with him. “Are these really mine?” he asked, his eyes wide. “Yes, David. They are yours to keep, ” I said. I will always remember his reaction to receiving those presents and the lesson I learned from him about opening gifts.
God gives us many gifts — the most important of which is our salvation. How we open His gifts says a lot about us. Are we like my son, overwhelmed with God’s love and generosity, having trouble believing the gift is ours to keep? God gives us many gifts, most of which we do not ask for. He gives them freely and with love. That’s the way to give a gift! We do not have to ask His permission to open them. God longs for us to accept His gifts with gladness, gratitude, and humility.
Unlike gifts received at Christmas and birthdays, the gifts God gives us are not just for our own enjoyment. His gifts come with a string attached — the string of responsibility. We are responsible to put them to good use. We are to use them for the good of God’s people and the furtherance of His kingdom. Using the gifts God has given us in this way brings glory to His name.
Some of the gifts God gives us are not easily seen. We need to look for and find the areas in which God has gifted us. Once we recognize our gifts, we must be open to His leading in where to put them to work. Many times this requires a step of faith, understanding we cannot do what’s required of us on our own. Like the lesson we learn in the parable of the talents, we have to take risks. Jesus did not play it safe and neither can we. We need to work with Him and for Him, not for ourselves.
You have some gifts from God. Have you “opened” them? They are useless if left wrapped. Are you using them for His glory or your own? Do you look for where God wants you to put a gift to use, or do you use it where and when you’d like? Do you have a gift that you are not using at all or are afraid to use? These are questions to ask ourselves. God has equipped us for certain tasks and we need to be sure we are using our gifts to accomplish whatever it is God wants of us.
My children, though now adults, continue teaching me many lessons. Years ago, David reminded me again of the attitude we should strive to have toward God and the gifts He blesses us with. On the way to the airport after Thanksgiving break, I gave him a check. His reaction was immediate when he saw it. “Mom, I don’t deserve this!” I want to be like him, and when looking at what God has freely given me, exclaim, “Father, I don’t deserve this!”
I pray we all have the humility to see we do not deserve all that God has blessed us with. With that understanding, we can respond by using God’s gifts to show others His grace, mercy, and love. Let’s use His gifts responsibly and freely, and in the process, bring others into the blessings of God’s love.
For other Christmas posts, you can click these links. Christmas Preparations – The Perfect Gift Dress Up for the Ulitmate Party
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