A man’s gift makes room for him
and brings him before the great. Proverbs 18:16
Advent #2: The Door-Opening Gift (Proverbs 18:16)
We are focusing on gifts this Advent season. What is the best Christmas gift you have ever received? There are a few from my childhood that really stand out. I remember the year that my parents surprised me with a totally new room: new comforter set and curtains, new paint, and even some new furniture. I was so excited. I will also never forget the year that I received a cedar hope chest that my grandfather made in shop class in the 1920’s. But, the year that takes the cake happened when I was in high school. We had basically finished opening all our presents and my dad looked around with a puzzled expression. “Amanda, can you run out to the garage? I think I left something on the freezer.”
The Big Surprise
Now, my dad was known for his incredible gifts to my mother. No one ever knew the secret of what Daddy was getting Mom for Christmas, and it was always over-the-top! So, I immediately assumed that I was being sent for one more amazing gift for my mother that was a huge secret. I jumped up and ran toward the door into the garage. I threw it open and right in front of me was a little white car with a big red bow. I didn’t even realize that everyone had followed me, but my parents have a picture of me jumping up and down in excitement over my first car.
The Ultimate Gift-Giver
Since we are talking about gifts this advent, particularly ones that come packaged with the Gift of Jesus, I thought it would be good to address the Gift-Giver. Proverbs 18:16 reveals a truth about society in general. Gifts entice others to make opportunities for us, to open doors that would have remained closed.
However, at Christmas, we should remember that God is the ultimate gift giver. He gave us Jesus, the ultimate gift. He is the only gift I can think of that does not diminish when we regift Him. We should be sharing this Gift with everyone we meet, and yet we still retain the benefits of having Him as a Gift as well.
A Gift that Opens Doors
God has given us the Gift that opens the door to eternal life for us! This Gift restores our relationship with God that is broken by sin.
“And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” 1 John 5:11-12
If you have never accepted this gift for yourself, this is your year – it is not too late to secure eternal life and a relationship with God through His Son Jesus. In fact, Romans 10:9-10 tells us how to do that.
“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Romans 10:9-10
You can pray right now and tell God that you believe that Jesus is Lord, that He died for your sins and was raised from the dead. Confess with your mouth and believe in your heart and you will be saved. The Gift of Jesus, of relationship with God, can be yours.
Action Step:
If you accepted Jesus for the first time today, tell someone! Message me, or post on my Facebook page, or tell someone in a local church.
If you already know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, share the gift with someone else today. Tell them who the ultimate Christmas Gift is!
Follow @devoinaction on Facebook and join in the conversation about each post in this series. Please feel free to share a pic of your Bible entry and share your thoughts on the scripture in each devotional. Or, tag me @devoinaction on Instagram. The hashtag for this series is #sparklingadvent
Prayer:
Dear God, Thank you for this indescribable gift of Jesus. Help us to see those around us that need to hear about the ultimate Christmas Gift from the greatest Gift-Giver ever. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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