It was Christmas Eve. The tree was brightly decorated, the presents were wrapped with beautiful paper and colorful bows, the meal was over, and the family gathered together to read the Story of the Birth of Jesus, followed by a time of prayer. It was a family tradition.
"Now,” said Dad, “let each one of us say a prayer and I will end our prayer-time before we go to bed.”
After praying, Susie went to the tree and began to look at each present. She looked at the name on each of them very carefully. The family was curious but quiet.
Finally, Susie, looked at each member of the family and asked, “Where’s the present for Jesus? What are we giving Him this year?”
Stunned, the family sat in silence. No one had thought about a gift for Jesus.
Paul has a suggestion for the best gift we could give Christ this Christmas. Writing to the Romans he said, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies – your entire self – to God...be a living and holy sacrifice to Him – the kind He will accept.”
When we think of giving gifts this Christmas each of us would do well to think first of the gift God wants from us. We need to take Paul’s words seriously, and give the most valuable gift – the gift of ourselves – to God!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, trouble our hearts with the words of Paul this season, and carefully and prayerfully consider the gift You want most – surrendered lives! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture For Today: Romans 12:1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
No comments:
Post a Comment