01 Dec The Perfect Gift

She wants to find the perfect gifts for her children for Christmas.   She asks them to make lists; she tries to tune in to each child and learn what will make them happy.

As Christmas approaches, she feels the pressure to get everything they want, to make their hopes and dreams come true.  She doesn’t want anyone to be disappointed.  That special toy that is difficult to find?  She’ll face the traffic, visit every store, wait in long lines; she’ll do whatever it takes to get it.

Suddenly, one sleepless night before all of the “perfect” gifts are purchased, she realizes that she is doing her kids a disservice.  She’s not helping her children to see Jesus as the greatest gift.  John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he GAVE his only son…”  This is the only gift her children will ever really need.

She sees how she is corrupting the nurturing capacity as she encourages them to put their hopes and dreams in things, that new toy or latest gadget.  Could she actually be turning them away from dependence on Jesus as their Savior?  She’s also not helping them be who God has called them to be; she’s encouraging them to seek satisfaction in the world and all it offers.  Wow! That’s the exact opposite of the message she wants them to learn this holiday season.

She’s praying that God will show her how to worship Him as they celebrate the birth of the one who is Hope.  She confesses her own misplaced hopes and asks the Lord to redeem this holiday season and show her ways to point her children towards Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah who can meet all of their needs and never disappoint.

How are you corrupting the gift giving process?  Where are you missing opportunities to help others place their hope in Jesus and not things?  How can things be different this year as you await Christ’s arrival?