Winter Fire – Everlasting Father - Tuesday
Today’s Verse
Ephesians 5:2
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. (NIV)
My love language is gift-giving. I love giving gifts—ask anyone in my family and they’ll tell you how I always overdo it at Christmas. I plan my gifts months ahead of time. The problem is I start too early. Usually, I’m done Christmas shopping long before Thanksgiving. You’d think that would be a good thing! But I get enticed by the Black Friday sales and deals and buy a few more gifts… and the cycle begins. Usually, I’m picking up “just a couple last minute things” on Christmas Eve. I fully admit I have a problem.
When Christmas morning comes around, there are piles of presents under the tree for everyone in my family. My pile, however, is notoriously smaller than the rest. Inevitably, my family will apologize and at the same time scold me for the amount of presents I have given. But here’s the secret… I don’t care. It doesn’t matter to me what presents I get. I couldn't care less. I love my family so much, that the act of making them happy is all I want.
But our Everlasting Father makes my gifts look like nothing. My gifts are trinkets and clothes and gadgets. They’ll wear out, break, run out of batteries, or just run their course. But our Everlasting Father has given us all an Everlasting Gift. The gift of eternal life, of forgiveness, of unending love. And all of these gifts were packaged up in an unforgettable way. They were given in the form of a tiny, innocent, world-changing baby: Jesus.
This year, even if we all continue to spend far too much money on Christmas gifts, let's never forget the ultimate gift our Father gave us. It’s a gift that eternally keeps on giving.
REFLECTION
This year, use this season of gift-giving to make a lasting difference. Find a family in need and anonymously give gifts to them. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or shelter. Or give to our Unleashed offering to help make an eternal difference across Central Kentucky.