Daily Devotional December 24, 2020

Every Christmas, I try to get Shannon an extra special gift.  When we were first married, it was easy because she has always been a big fan of jewelry.  Sadly, she only has ten fingers, two ears, one neck and two wrists.  There’s nowhere else for jewelry, except a nose ring, and I’m pretty sure that’s never going to happen. 

Now that I’ve run out jewelry options and have no imagination, I’ve come to the point where I ask Shannon what she would like for Christmas.

This year, Shannon asked for a coat, which is the most boring gift in the history of gifts.  But that’s what she wanted, so that’s what she got.  For me, it was incredibly disappointing to buy a coat.  And now that I think about it, all I really did was hand her the credit card.  So, I’m not sure it counts as me actually shopping.  For me, it was a real letdown.

The good news is even though I have become a deficient husband, Shannon has become a deficient wife.  She has gotten to the point where she asks me what I want for Christmas.

This year, I enthusiastically explained that I really want a set of pallet forks.  Shannon’s expression told me she thought I had just asked for the worst gift in the history of gifts.  How could this be?

Pallet forks are one of God’s greatest inventions.  How could Shannon not see pallet forks are one of the greatest gift in the history of gifts? But to each his own.

The bottom line is all of us will be getting different gifts.  But more importantly, each of us will be getting the same, wonderful gift.

Tomorrow we celebrate Jesus’ birthday.  The fascinating thing about this birthday party is that Jesus doesn’t get gifts, Jesus is the gift – truly, the greatest gift in the history of gifts.

The angel announced God’s gift to us with these words, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”  (Luke 2:10-12)

This afternoon at 5:00, come to the church parking lot to worship and celebrate the greatest gift of all. 

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, thank you for sending your beautiful light into the darkness of this world.  I praise you for the child born in a barn – my King, my Savior.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Getting Jesus for Christmas is even better than getting pallet forks.  That really does make Jesus the greatest gift in the history of gifts.  God is good.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins