Yet through his powerful declaration of acquittal, God freely gives away his righteousness. His gift of love and favor now cascades over us, all because Jesus, the Anointed One, has liberated us from the guilt, punishment, and power of sin! - Romans 3:24
My daughter was about ten years old when she gave me a very special Christmas gift. She approached her dad earlier that season with great excitement over something she had spotted at the mall—two 14 karat gold heart charms that fit snugly together. One was inscribed mother, the other, daughter. They would be the perfect Christmas gift! And, although these charms were well beyond our normal gift-giving budget at the time, my husband told her it was a lovely idea and offered the funds to purchase it, as was our custom each Christmas with our girls.
But my daughter had other plans. She wanted to use her own money to buy this gift. She insisted on it, despite the fact that she was not earning money at the time and received only a nominal allowance. She had been saving her dollars for quite some time, and this gift would cost her everything she had. Nonetheless, she bought the charms, wrapped them carefully, tied them with a bow and gave them to me on Christmas Eve. Decades later, I still wear the charm and think of the loving sacrifice she made to give me something beautiful from her own heart.
Real gifts are given out of love. They cost something. There is sacrifice in giving. Just like God lavishing His love on us by giving His only son to be born at Christmas and ultimately sacrificing His life for our redemption. It was a sacrifice like no other—a gift from the heart of the Father. One we would cherish in this lifetime and wear proudly into eternity.
ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS
Giving and receiving gifts is a wonderful Christmas tradition. As you’re untying ribbons and tearing open wrapping paper this year, sit in the realization that you have been given the greatest gift anyone has ever received with the most unimaginable love and sacrifice behind it.