Christmas day has come and gone. With that there is a sense of lingering joy, but also remorse, and even sadness on the part of some. Some people were hoping for a gift that did not come. Some were hoping for a relative to visit that never showed up. Some were alone and simply wishing for anyone to show that they cared on that special day. Those who are and were disappointed were not looking in the right place. For those who received the gift of God (“eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”), there will never be a day from that time forward that they do not receive gifts.
I’m not talking about a new television, or car, or house, or even money. You see, all those things are susceptible to fire, moths and rust. When we become a child of God, not only are we blessed with eternal life, but we are blessed with a relationship that gives and gives and gives every day of our lives. Today I read Psalm 51. This is a chapter that David wrote after some of the worst things that could have happened to him had just taken place. David had committed adultery … had the woman’s husband killed to try to hide his sin … and finally he had been caught. After his confession and in the midst of his repentance, God allowed his thoughts to be placed by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in our Bible. David wrote of on-going gifts that God gives us each day … in spite of ourselves.
Look at some of the wonderful things you and I have access to everyday … daily gifts from God. God can give you a clean heart and a renewed spirit – “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). God offers restoration – “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit” (Psalm 51:12). Not only does God do this internal work of giving us a clean heart, right spirit, and restoration; God also will allow us to then serve Him with a renewed outlook and enthusiasm – “Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto Thee” (Psalm 51:13).
God gave His Son to us, not only to save us, but also to sanctify us. God gave His Son to us so that we could live lives that demonstrate the change that He can make in wretched sinners like us. God sent His Son into the world to change the end result that we were headed to of Hell; but He also sent His Son to allow the changes He desires to see in us happen. You and I cannot bring these transforming changes to ourselves. Only a correct and honest relationship with Him can bring the results that David wrote about. Jesus’ birth was not the end of the story … it was the beginning of the gift!