A Husband and Wife’s Christmas story
“4 Gifts That Jesus Gives”
Husband: As a kid at Christmas, I was focused on what I would get as presents. I was asked by my parents to make a list. With great anticipation I would list all the things I wanted to get. I remember the night before Christmas, trying to go to sleep as soon as possible for two reasons: One, I couldn’t wait to see what I was going to get under the Christmas tree and secondly, I was told by my parents that Santa would not come unless I went to sleep.
When I woke up the excitement and anticipation was heightened by a glorious display of gifts and packages under the tree. Over the years as a child, my parents never failed in making Christmas mornings the best days of my life.
As an adult my focus has changed from one of getting to one of giving. I realize that all the presents in the world cannot compare to the gift that my Savior has given me. The Good News that I can give to anyone any day of the year.
Wife: When I was a little kid, one of my favorite parts of Christmas was the stocking. My grandmother made our stockings with our names embroidered on them. They were filled with candy, fruit, and gifts. As I got older, I carried on the tradition with our children, filling stockings with a variety of treats. But the excitement has changed since I have gotten older. The named stockings were awesome as a kid but the promise with my name on it is so much sweeter. Just as my name on my stocking identified me as one of her beloved grandchildren, my name written in His book shows me as one of His beloved children.
As you fill up your stockings this year with candy and gifts, remember it’s a much sweeter treat to give the gift of a Savior.
In the Bible, specifically, John, chapter 3 verse 27, it is written “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven”. In the scriptures that follow there are four gifts that Jesus Christ, who came from heaven, is ready to give to all who will receive them—purity, peace, love, and joy. These are gifts!
Where do they come from? How do we get them? The answer is: Jesus Christ. If we have Him, we will have these four marvelous gifts of purity, peace, love, and joy. Jesus is the source of these gifts and the one who holds them together.
Have you, personally, found these gifts in Jesus Christ? He is THE Savior to be found in every Stocking this Christmas.
Merry Christmas from Sowing Seeds of Joy and Chris and Melissa Crocker