The last few mornings I have been reminding you of some of the wonderful gifts that our gracious, loving Father has given to us but now I’d like to ask you to consider giving a gift to Him.
I’m sure you have already started making your Christmas gift list. It’s something we all do…this for Mom, that for Dad, and the kids want the latest and the greatest.
But really the reason we give gifts at Christmas is because of the Father’s great gift to us that first Christmas. The gift of His love, wrapped in human form, bringing life and relationship to us all.
Look at your Christmas list again and see if you find the Father’s name on your list. That’s what I did this morning. I asked “Father, what would you like this Christmas season?” The answer came quickly.
“You don’t really want sacrifices, or I would give them to you. 17 The sacrifice that God wants is a humble spirit. God, you will not turn away someone who comes with a humble heart and is willing to obey you.” Psalm 51:16-17 ERV
The Father wants humble hearts. Hearts that are open to His leading. Hearts that have more room for Him and less room for self. We become selfish with our hearts when we’ve been hurt. We block out a part of our lives and leave it to harden – hardened against the memories and the pain.
But when we do that, we also block it off to the Father’s healing touch. Let me ask that we take time to ponder, meditate, think on strongly this. How many times have we hurt or ignored the Father? Has He closed off His heart to us? Has He refused to forgive even though we haven’t apologized?
No, never!
So the gift the Father desires from us is a heart willing to obey His word. He has told us we need to forgive 70×7. He has told us “to take no account of the evil done to us”. He has told us, if we come to Him he will heal our broken hearts – that means we let go of bitterness. We can love as He loves.
This morning, I see the Father urging us to bring Him our gifts of broken hearts, broken lives, broken dreams and letting Him, not just fix what’s broken, but give us new hearts, new lives, new dreams. Beauty for ashes. Joy to replace our mourning. A garment of praise for our heaviness.
“Pray to the Lord, and he will hear you. He will save you from all your troubles. 18 The Lord is close to those who have suffered disappointment. He saves those who are discouraged.” Psalm 34:17-18 ERV
So start your Christmas Season. Start by giving what you have been holding back and then receive what He came to give. These verses tell us why Jesus came to earth:
“The Spirit of the Lord God is on me. The Lord has chosen me to tell good news to the poor and to comfort those who are sad. He sent me to tell the captives and prisoners that they have been set free. (2) He sent me to announce that the time has come for the Lord to show his kindness, when our God will also punish evil people. He has sent me to comfort those who are sad, (3) those in Zion who mourn. I will take away the ashes on their head, and I will give them a crown. I will take away their sadness, and I will give them the oil of happiness. I will take away their sorrow, and I will give them celebration clothes. He sent me to name them ‘Good Trees’ and ‘The Lord’s Wonderful Plant.’” Isaiah 61:1-3 ERV
Give the Father your gift of a humble heart. It will put a big smile on His face!