10 Days Until Christmas

A decade ago I wrote a newspaper article about how much it would cost in the present day to purchase all of the gifts in the song, The 12 Days of Christmas. I contacted local merchants and added up all of the birds, jewelry and service providers - the total came to almost $50,000.

Today the gifts are equally outrageous. The price of technology has gone through the roof so we can have convenience at our finger tips. Entertainment is overly important and under-appreciated. If you send nothing at all, you are considered cheap and thoughtless.

But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Acts 8:20

The gifts of God, the true and precious gifts, are not found in packages or purchased in stores. This sounds cliche, but the flesh is so much more interested in the gift than the giving. It's a sad state of affairs when we allow our gift-buying and gift-giving to rule our thoughts. The money isn't the issue, but the gift of God's truth behind them.

Consider these gift ideas instead of something useless and frivolous:
* A framed family picture that is more than 50 years old. Include the story behind it in your own hand writing.
* A gift card to the grocery store the recipient frequents.
* Christmas ornaments and decorations.
* Scripture to hang on the wall or display on a table.
* The gift of your time!

But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. Romans 5:15

Society tells us that everyone deserves gifts at Christmas. This is where greed, lust and envy originate. The only one who has ever deserved a gift was Jesus Christ, and that is the gift of our devotion. He deserved so much more than the three gifts He actually received, but the love and obedience of His believers is the best present He could ask for.

Salvation is the only free gift that is priceless. On His birthday, the Christmas day that we celebrate by giving each other presents, we should also be celebrating the gift of eternal life. It will never rust, break, tarnish, decay or fall apart. It continually grows brighter and more powerful with each passing day.

Give the gift of God's love by sharing the Gospel this Advent season. You don't need a credit card, cash or receipt, and it can never be returned. It is the perfect fit for everyone. It is always the right color, shape and size, and compliments everything that you are. Accept it and your life will never be the same.

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