What do you think will be the best Christmas present you will receive this year? Is it something from your kids, grandkids or your spouse? What will bring the biggest smile to your face and the greatest warmth in your heart?
I was one of those kids who would take a sneak peak at some of the presents under our Christmas tree. I was able to lift the tape without tearing the paper and made sure that all the creases on the wrapping lined up perfectly before I placed it back in the exact spot under the tree. But I always felt guilty.
This year when packages started arriving one label read “Don’t open until December 25th”. Do you think they knew we might be tempted to open them early? Our youngest daughter gave us permission to open her gifts early and Dave happily complied.
Several years ago I began giving my morning readers a “gift” for each day of December. The following year I expanded on those writings and compiled an Advent Book, “The Best Gifts of Christmas”.
There are thirty-one short chapters, one for each day of the month. Each day focuses on a different gift that we have received from our heavenly Father. Each gift is wrapped in His love and has our name on the tag. Each gift is personalized, specifically designed just for us and yet each gift has universal appeal.
This morning I’d like to give you permission to open a gift early and you don’t even have to feel guilty.
It’s something you can enjoy every day of the year; there’s no expiration date. It won’t grow old or go out of style. This is something you can have for all time.
“This is the new agreement I will give the people of Israel. I will give this agreement in the future, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write my laws on their hearts I will be their God, and they will be my people. 11 Never again will anyone have to teach their neighbors or their family to know the Lord. All people—the greatest and the least important—will know me. 12 And I will forgive the wrongs they have done, and I will not remember their sins.” Hebrews 8:8-13 ERV
The Lord has put a desire in our hearts to know Him. There’s a drawing to have relationship with Him. This relationship is for everyone and yet it’s specific to each of us. He promises to forgive every wrong we’ve committed and once it’s forgiven He forgets it as well.
“Everything God says is true— and it’s a shield for all who come to him for safety.” Proverbs 30:5 CEV
Since everything God says is true then that means having our sins forgotten, forgiveness extended, and restoration belong to us! Thank you Lord for these wonderful gifts.