Giving Precious Gifts

One of my favorite giving stories happened many years ago at Linda’s parents’ home.  The family had gathered, including my young nieces Jennifer, Natalie, and Christi, all married and mothers now.  Basil, Linda’s dad, thought Jennifer, his oldest granddaughter, was old enough to wear a watch, so he had bought her one.  She opened her gift, and burst into a big grin and hugged Basil in thanks.  While Jennifer was bursting into a grin, her younger sister, Natalie, was bursting into tears.  She watched Jennifer open her watch and, with trembling lip and watery eyes, came to Basil and said, “Granddaddy, you didn’t get me a watch?” In that moment, Basil realized that he’s made an honest mistake.  He didn’t think Natalie was old enough to care about a watch, but he forgot that she was old enough to feel left behind by an older sibling.  “Of course I have a watch for you,” he answered in a moment of inspired generosity, as he took his watch off of his wrist and gave it to her.  I don’t know if she kept it or if Basil later exchanged it for one like Jennifer’s, but I do know that when you love someone, you’re willing to give them what you treasure. 

When the Wise Men met Jesus, their reverence for Him, their love for Him, compelled them to give Him some of the most precious things they had. 

(Matthew 2:11b) Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

I know that many gifts have been exchanged today in the circles of family and friendship.  That’s a beautiful part of the Christmas experience.  But if you have that hunger in your heart for Christmas to make a bigger difference in your life, then let me ask you a question, as I ask myself,

What precious gift have you given to Jesus?

If you’ve found Jesus for yourself, if you love Him with all your heart and soul, if you strive to follow Him as the Lord of your life, then you will give Him the most precious gifts you have.  What you give Him changes your life.