For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Romans 15:4
I have a little book of devotionals which my mother gave me at Christmas. On the inside of the front cover is her precious handwriting. The red ink, in the characteristic shaky style of on older person, says, "For my sweet Jenny, Christmas 2015." It would be the last Christmas gift I would receive from her. God would take her home on October 9, 2016.
I had received other books from mom: "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett with the message from mom, "Happy Birthday, Jenny, July 31-2010, Love, Mom." and "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. This time the message is more prolonged, "For my darling daughter, Jenny. May this book be an inspiration to you. May God bless you and keep you in the hollow of his hand. Mom, 2013."
Mom loved to read, and quite often we give gifts of things we like in hopes that the receiver will enjoy them also. I have read and enjoyed these books, but it was vital for me to open them up and spend some time inside the pages to gain the reward of these gifts.
Jesus Christ came as the Human One. His gift to us was Himself. He was born in a manger, grew as a child, began His ministry, suffered a cruel death on the cross, and arose from the grave with a new body. He gave us the gift He knew we wanted. We needed His humanness and His sacrifice. He loved us so much; He obliged. We can read His whole life story in the pages of the Bible. The gift of His love notes, in many Bibles, are written in red.
To gain the reward of His words, we must open the Bible and spend some time getting lost in the pages. The present God gave us at Christmas was not His last gift. His gifts of knowledge, mercy, forgiveness, hope, and peace keep giving and giving as long as we are willing to utilize them. Just like the pages of mom's book gifts, we can keep going back to the pages of the Bible and let the Holy Spirit gift us over and over again. What gift is Christ giving to you, personally, today?
Thank you, Jesus, for continually giving us your gift through the word. Amen
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