A Gift Worth Receiving

During the Christmas season we often hear messages that ask us to consider what gift God wants. Popular questions include, "If you were one of the magi, what would you give Jesus?" and "What does God want for Christmas?"

That's a worthwhile topic to consider. And the answers are rather standard. He wants your heart. "I'll give him what he wants most—me." Of course those responses reveal that he hasn't had you or your heart. Therefore giving him both would be both appropriate and good.

I'm not diminishing the need for us to surrender ourselves to God. It's certain he wants all of us, and all of each of us—heart, mind, soul, and strength. But I wonder if there's another question we should consider.

What does God want to give us?

He is after all a giver. John 3:16 tells us that because he loved so much more than we can fathom, he gave. We also know that he doesn't change. So if he gave then, he gives now. If he gave Christ that first Christmas, what will he give us this year? A few of my favorite things come to mind.

• Hope
• Peace
• Joy
• Love
• Mercy
• Grace

And perhaps he will give some of us the desire of our hearts. That is, he may place his desire in our hearts. And when he does we may find a contentment that we've never had. That would be a gift worth receiving.