Re-Gifting

I have a group of friends that always celebrate Christmas together after the New Year. We had a great time this weekend, catching up and sharing gifts with one another. One of our traditions is to exchange stocking stuffers – often items we’ve collected through the year on our various travels and vacations. But since we celebrate together after our other celebrations, there are often re-gifts among the stocking stuffers.

Be honest – you’ve done it. Received something that, while very nice, just wasn’t for you. So you pass it along. You re-gift it. And, at least in our case, the gift lands in the hands of someone who will make great use of it.

Frankly, as Christians, we had better be re-gifting. What is Matthew 28:19 – “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations.” – if not a command to re-gift? We’ve been given the most wondrous gift of all in the love and sacrifice of Christ Jesus. And the best news is that we can re-gift that love and sacrifice and still keep it ourselves. In fact, the gift just grows greater, the more people we re-gift it to.

So don’t be embarrassed. Be a happy and generous re-gifter. Share the gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ today!

Depressing Discount Days

Have you ever gone shopping in the days after Christmas? Am I the only one, or is there something quietly depressing about all those markdown stickers? I have to admit, on one hand, I enjoy getting some Christmas supplies for next year at far more reasonable prices than usual. But there’s something kind of melancholy about those last few bags of ribbon or forlorn toys, sitting on nearly empty shelves. Two days ago, what was shiny and new (and full priced) is now dingy, old, and used looking. What a letdown!

And what a contrast to the real gift of the season. Jesus has been our gift for over 2,000 years and He is still new and exciting and worth more than any possession in the world. He continues to offer us more than we deserve and more than we could imagine. Jesus paid full price for this gift – the price of His life which can never be discounted. If we accept His gift, we will never, ever be let down.

What a striking difference between what the world holds up as the reason for the season and the real Gift! God has always known the gift we need and it will always hold the highest value. Now that’s a reason to celebrate.