Lessons From A Hallmark Movie | Day 5 | The Best Gift
In Hallmark Christmas movies, there is a lot of emphasis on getting the best gift for the important people in their lives. This is something that I relate to. I LOVE to give gifts. There is an extreme satisfaction in watching someone open a gift that you’ve worked hard to think about, pick out, and wrap up. For our first anniversary, I wanted to get Preston a really special gift. We were extra broke, so I knew I had to be creative. I bought a box that resembled a treasure box from Michael’s. I worked for weeks gathering items to fill his treasure box. The plane boarding pass from our honeymoon, little trinkets from some of our best memories, even a fake spider (we had a big spider problem in our house our first year of marriage). I worked and worked on this gift and I just couldn’t wait for Preston to open it!
The day of our anniversary arrived and I excitedly presented my gift to Preston. Now if Preston would have opened my gift and said, “Ehh, it’s alright,” or if he would have opened it and said “It’s great!” but then moved on from it and not talked any more about it, I would have been very upset! When he actually opened it, he took his time. He pulled out each item and we talked about the significance of each thing. We remembered the memories together and it was a special time.
Jesus talks about this:
“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Matthew 7: 9-11
In this season, we are reminded of the best gift ever given:
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave His Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.” John 3:16, the Message
God gave His Son and Jesus gave His life, all so that we would be able to know them and be able to be with them for eternity.
James reminds us,
“Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good and perfect gift comes from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” James 1:16-17
Remember the Biblical definition of perfection that we talked about earlier in this study: complete, lacking in nothing. In short James is saying, there’s no gift on earth that will satisfy us. Earthly gifts won’t satisfy us, even the purest, best ones. The only good and perfect gifts come from heaven: the gift of salvation and the spiritual blessings that Jesus extends to us.
What’s interesting is that I don’t even remember what Preston gave to me that day. I’m sure he did give me something, and I’m sure it was very thoughtful. The point is, I didn’t give a gift to him in expectation of something in return. I already had my gift, watching him open and enjoy the gift I gave to Him. God doesn’t give us good gifts to get something in return. He gives freely and our only job is to receive.
You may be done with your Christmas shopping or your shopping list may look like mine, with a long way to go and a short time to do it. As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, may we remember that we are to desire to be rich with spiritual blessings, not material things. Despite what gifts we give or receive this Christmas, may we remember that He is present. And that is enough.
Prayer: Father, we are thankful that you have given us the greatest gift. That the best present we have ever received is the gift of your presence.
