There is disappointment when we find out that a gift we gave was unappreciated. Some gifts are actually thoughtless or inappropriate, but sometimes the recipient is callous toward the giver. Our gifts are often temporal and imperfect. But sometimes our gifts are an extension of ourselves or have cost us a great deal of time, effort, sacrifice and love. Imagine the heartbreak of parents that give their best to their child, year after year, only to be despised and scorned or forgotten or abandoned when the child is an adult.
How much more tragic when someone treats the Gift of God with contempt or carelessness? We have life, we have good life, we have eternal life because God gave us His Son. Receive His Gift with due respect. Let your life be a constant, "Thank you Lord." Wear His Gift, employ His Gift, depend on His Gift, enjoy His Gift. His Gift never wears out, is never outdated, never inadequate. His Gift gives more, the more we use it. His Gift is without price, but those who reject or neglect His Gift become impoverished and sickly and lonely.
The Father is pleased, the Son is glorified and we are enriched when we gladly receive His Gift with thanksgiving and treasure it throughout our lives.
Merry Christmas.
