I was struck by a local news flash the other day about a thief, called the Grinch, who broke into a local church and stole all the Christmas presents intended for the needy children in the area. It was all caught on the surveillance camera. The people at the church were devastated and discouraged. When the community heard about it in the news the next few days, people came and donated so many gifts to the church that they ended up with more gifts then they had before! One lady donated her entire collection of Vermont teddy bears! It reminded me of the movie, “It’s a wonderful Life”. I saw this movie afresh the other day and I have to say that it is a “must see” for Christmas time.
The spirit of giving is a wonderful thing, for both the recipient and the giver.
Devotionally, In Genesis 3 the story of the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, the Grinch (Satan) stole the wonderful gift of life. The close relationship that Adam and Eve had with God was lost. They were devastated and discouraged, until… the first glimmer of hope was spoken… God will give…
God told them that He would be sending a special person (Messiah Jesus) through the seed of the woman, who would bruise his (Satan’s) head – a serious blow and Satan would merely bruise this person’s heel – a minor thing. (Genesis 3:15)
Another prophetic word of hope was spoken in Isaiah 9:6
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a SON is GIVEN:…and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
A Son will be Given?
“…Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” Isaiah 7:14
Immanuel means God with us.
Matthew 1-2 and Luke 2 give the narrative of Jesus birth. It’s a “must read” for Christmas time. It was foretold that this baby, would be born, but also be given by God specifically to restore sinful man back to God and give him eternal life! All we need do is accept this incredible gift, so freely given.
“For God so loved the World (you and me) that HE GAVE his only begotten Son, That whosoever (that’s you and me) believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
This is why there is a spirit of giving, especially at this time of year- because God gave to us the most precious gift, wrapped in swaddling clothes, laying the Manger – Immanuel -And no Grinch can take it away.
Note: Picture is my granddaughter a couple weeks old under the Christmas tree. - 2009
