Jerry and I have most of our gift giving occasions between October – December. That is the timeframe of both of our birthdays, our anniversary and of course Christmas. The following post was written late in December several years ago, but the truth of it remains in my heart and mind–especially this Christmas day.
My husband and I have this game that we play around birthdays, Christmas or any other gift giving occasions. It goes like this, “So what did you get me?” Sometimes it’s said once in passing, sometimes it’s repeated over and over in rapid succession to try to wear the giver down to sharing some clue. Yes, I know this sounds rather childish for two well–into–middle–aged–adults to engage in, but I think it’s one of the casualties of not having children – we sometimes have to play that role in the family.The morning of December 23 I was having a delightful quiet time with my Lord. I finished my reading and my pondering, and was just about to put my pen down after recording the last word in my journal when I heard it . . .
“So what did you get me?”
I paused and listened to the voice –– but it wasn’t that of my husband. It was my other beloved’s voice – Jesus! As I tuned in to His voice I heard, “It’s my birthday soon you know, I’ve seen the gifts you’ve gotten for everyone else, what did you get for me?”
When I shared this with my husband his response was “Isn’t that just like God to speak to us in our own game and language?”
For the remainder of that day, and the next several days I spent time pondering what I would give Jesus for his birthday. The better question was –– had I even planned to give Him anything for his birthday? If I hadn’t, why not? And if I was, it was getting late, so I better decide quickly.
What do you get the Lord of the Universe, who owns everything and can create anything out of nothing?
The only response I could think of was “to obey is better than sacrifice.” I think what Jesus was asking for was more of me. All of me in fact. No need to spend time trying to figure out the hottest gift to give Him but to “just do it!” To surrender myself and obey what He has already shown me. Funny –– several years later, I think this is still the gift He wants and the one I need to give.
So what about you? What are you giving to Jesus for His Birthday?