Giving and Receiving

Christmas is the season of giving and receiving.

James 1:17 (ESV)
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

Ephesians 2:8 (NASB)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God”

In sending Jesus, Father gave us gifts. Good and perfect gifts.

He gave us:
Salvation: We were enemies of God, sinful, alienated, and in need of forgiveness.
Freedom: We were in bondage to sin and to walking by the flesh.
Jesus: Father gave us Jesus.

Through Jesus all things were created.
Through Jesus all things are held together.
He is our reward.

There is no better or more perfect gift.

All these things we receive by believing Him. Believing all He is and all He has said and done.
Receiving Father’s gifts pleases Him and honors Him.

Giving gifts is a way in which we demonstrate Love like Father.

Receiving gifts is a way in which we respond to Love.