December

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December brings with it many thoughts but perhaps giving and gifts are the more prominent ones. Looking back over time and into history we find recorded many and varied gifts. 

 

The hanging Gardens of Babylon, according to legend, were a gift from King Nebuchadnezzar II to his wife Amytis who was homesick for Media, Iran. The King created a paradise in the desert using all her favourite Median plants.    

 

The Orlov Diamond, a large rose-cut diamond, was a gift to Catherine the Great in the 18th century.

 

The Statue of Liberty, was given from France, representing friendship between France and the United States in the 1800s. 

 

The Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree was given as a token of Norwegian gratitude to the people of London during the war years and is given annually.

 

Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, two giant pandas were given to the United States as gifts by the government of China in the 1970s.

 

There are passages in the Bible where we read gifts were given.

 

A coat of many colours was given by Jacob to Joseph - Genesis 37 v 3.

 

A son was given to Hannah – “For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of Him” – 1 Samuel 1 v 27.

 

The queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon many gifts. We read … 

 

“behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard”… 

“And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones”

1 Kings 10 v 7, 10.

 

In reference to the Lord Jesus wise men came from the east and presented unto Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh - Matthew 2 v 11. 

 

Joseph of Arimathaea gave the gift of a new tomb for the body of the Lord to be laid in Matthew 27 v 57 – 60.

 

But the most precious gift ever given was given by God and the gift was His Son. 

We read 

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“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”

John 3 v 16

 

The reason for the gift was God’s love for us.

In Romans 6 v 23 we see

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“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”.

 

The need for the gift was due to our sin. 

Ephesians 2 v 8 tells us

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“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God”.

 

As a result of the Gift, we are able to be saved from the punishment of sin if we believe in Jesus Christ.

A gracious God, through love, fully meets our need when we believe through faith. 

It’s no surprise then to read in James 1 v 17

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“ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above”.

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Words from two Carols speaking of gifts are below.

 

‘Oh little town of Bethlehem’

 

How silently, how silently,
the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
but in this world of sin.
Where meek souls will receive Him still
the dear Christ enters in.

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 ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’  

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What can I give Him,

Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd

I would bring a lamb.

If I were a wise man,

I would do my part.

Yet what I can I give Him,

Give my heart.

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Wouldn’t it be truly special if in December 2022 we acknowledged God’s gift, thanked Christ for giving His life, ask for our sins to be forgiven and receive Him into our lives? The promise of a home in heaven then becomes a certainty. 

 

We then will be able to say sincerely the words from 2 Corinthians 9 v 15

 

“Thanks be unto God for His indescribable gift”

Anonymous

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