Christmas Gifts

After repeatedly asking, several descriptions and much anticipation our children received their Christmas presents. Some of the things they asked for they got. Some things they did not. (Who gives an eight-year-old and iPod anyway?)

On the highly awaited morning we sat back and watched their expectant eyes examine all the presents stacked under the tree. Then each gift was distributed to the rightful recipient each getting their own according to their own specific needs and wants. We looked on with delight as they tore open the gifts and proclaimed their excitement.

Oh the joy!

Joy from both them and us. Joy that comes from seeing them open the gifts they were given and joy from seeing them use those gifts.

Maybe that is how God looks down on us. He gives us gifts. Then just sits backs in anticipation waiting for us to open them then use them.

Check this out:

1 Corinthians 12: 4-11

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.


What gift did you get? Wisdom, healing, prophecy? Are you using it? Are you just sitting there wishing you would have received another gift? Or are you excited about it as much as my kids were in front of the Christmas tree last month?


Just remember that the gift you received is perfect for you and better than anything you could have gotten in a gift wrapped box- including an iPod.