Indescribable Gifts

 The holiday season is underway, and who doesn't love this time of year? Certainly, my three kids do.

 Between the anticipation of decorating the tree to the arrival of Santa himself, my boys are overloaded with excitement. The next twenty days will surely fly by as they always do each December. I'm one of those people who starts holiday shopping in late summer and wrapping Christmas presents in early November. I'm always on the hunt for gifts that will make my family happy and surprised. There is something really remarkable about being a parent on Christmas morning. The best moments for me are putting thought into each gift and picturing how my recipient will feel once they open it. I like to predict exactly what my kids will say as they unwrap their presents. But what if there were a gift that was so indescribable it left the recipient without a spoken response? Have you ever received a gift that was this wonderful, that unexpectedly took your breath away?

 Think of all the gifts you received in the past and how you were bursting with joy. One of my very best gifts as a child was an autographed baseball hat from one of my favorite New York Yankees. I was giddy with delight upon receiving this Christmas present. I probably shed a few tears of joy and to me, it seemed incredulous that my parents could have obtained the actual autograph. These material possessions are special of course. Once we get past the delight though, our tastes and preferences change over time. Our desires are replaced by shinier, newer toys. The Christmas morning moments, even parents' witnessing the joy in their children's eyes, fades like the ink on a ball cap. 

 

As believers of Christ, we all know the meaning behind the season. We are all witnesses every day to the good news. The indescribably gift of the Holy Spirit does not fade with the new year. It does not get replaced by a new object. Instead, this gift leaves us breathless and joyous. When we receive this gift, words do not need to be spoken out loud. I want, more than anything, for my boys to know this feeling. Yes, I want them to give cheerfully and to receive graciously, to be overflowing in thanks. I pray they won't feel reluctant to give, no matter how much they spat over who receives the most presents.

 

Even the least of us can receive this indescribable gift. To me, THAT is the most wonderful news of Christmas.  

 

I love this Bible verse from 2 Corinthians 9:6-15:


6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever."

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!


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