Romans 3:23-25a: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.”
As we are in the Christmas season, we have bought those unique gifts that are wanted by our children, family, and friends. We have spent a considerable amount of time deciding on just the right present to give. Thank goodness for Amazon Wish Lists! They save us all time from battling parking lot spaces and crowds at the mall as much as we used to have to endure. When we purchase and then gift wrap each present, we don’t expect to be paid back because these are gifts we freely give. They are not a loan. Giving gifts is an act of kindness and love.
Our custom of giving Christmas gifts reminds us of the presents given to Jesus, by the Wise Men: Frankincense, Gold, and Myrrh. “But gift giving this time of year dates to an even older tradition. Pagans in Europe and the Middle East gave presents at several winter festivals, including Saturnalia, a raucous Roman festival in honor of Saturn, god of agriculture, which began on Dec. 17. During this weeklong holiday in the cold, dark dead of winter, pagans would lift their spirits by drinking to excess and giving one another gifts, such as pottery figurines, edible treats like fruit and nuts, and festive candles. Revelers greeted one another with a joyful “Io Saturnalia!” — the ancient Roman equivalent of “Merry Christmas!” Theweek.com.
Early Christians then phased this festival out. They viewed it as part of the pagan culture, but knew that dumping it out entirely would cause a backlash. So in the 4th century, they created a rival festival to mark Jesus’ birth: Christmas. Consequently our trailing Pilgrim forefathers felt it was controversial and banned the practice. However years later, in the 1680’s, Christmas celebrations became legal and gift giving boomed. Such explains the custom of giving Christmas gifts as we know it today. That is how December 25th became the date to celebrate Christ’s birth and continue the tradition of giving presents to others on the holiday known as Christmas.
God’s grace – His free gift to us, is so much more than unmerited favor or mercy. God’s grace:
- Helps us in our every need. Hebrews 4:16.
- Gives deliverance. Psalm 44:3-8 and Hebrews 4:16.
- Preserves, strengthens, comforts and gives hope. 2 Corinthians 13:14, 2 Thessalonians 2:16, 2 Timothy 2:1
- Benevolent, on-going act, without it we can do nothing. John 15:5.
- Gives us what we do not deserve. 2 Peter 1:2-4.
- Supplies all we need through Christ’s power combating our weaknesses. 2 Corinthians 12: 8-9.
- Given to each believer. No one is exempt that is a follower and disciple of Christ. Ephesians 4:7.
- Extravagant life-gift. Romans 5:15-18.
- Has no limit. Nehemiah 9:28-31.
- Gives us eternal life. Ephesians 2:8-9.
When you buy that present and as you wrap it up with that pretty wrapping paper or gift bag, your gift is a gift. You do not expect to be paid back. It is not a loan. You have bought this as a token of your love and kindness for the recipient.
God’s gift of grace to us is just that – a gift. We have done nothing to earn it. I like how the Message states John 15:20-21: “All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn’t, and doesn’t, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it’s sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that’s the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life – a life that goes on and on and on, world without end.”
Grace calls sin what it is. It is not a get out of jail card. God’s love sometimes is confrontational in our lives. Galatians 6:1-2 states: “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Being a grace-giver involves humility, examining your own heart, and must always be inspired by having a close relationship with God and showing that devotion to others. It is not condoning and enabling wrong behavior.
Questions:
Who do you need to show grace to while not compromising your convictions and standards?
How has God’s grace worked as a change agent in your life?
Have you grasped and discovered the sufficiency of God’s grace and peace in spite of a heartache?
As you are a receiver of God’s grace, which is a gift and does not include any payment stubs, think of how you can be a giver in return, from God’s example shown in your own life.
Our heavenly father gives grace for the day and new mercies again and again.
Merry Christmas!
Listen to Make Room by Casting Crowns featuring Matt Redman: