Every Good Gift

Just suppose the hustle and bustle of the season was going on around you but did not include you. For about 36 million people in the United States, this is probably the case; because, that number represents those living below the poverty level who not only lack monetary funds, but who quite possibly lack basic needs such as clean water, shelter, and food.

I wonder how many of those folks refuse to be saddened by their situation during the holidays (or, any other time of the year) because of their understanding and belief in verses such as James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Let’s consider a few gifts that come from God:

• Life – “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living soul” (Genesis 1:27; 2:7).
• The Home – “From the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; and they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Mark 10:6-9).
• Children – “Lo, children are an heritage (gift) of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them…” (Psalm 127:3-5).
• Eternal Life – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17) and “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

If hustle and bustle we must, let’s do find time to pause and think about every good gift and every perfect gift from above. Truly, these are reasons to celebrate now and every day of the year — Merry Christmas!