The greatest gift

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 30, 21 December 1987, Page 5

The greatest gift

Here it is, Christmas again. Yes, yet AGAIN. And we groan at the thouglit of all that is yet to be done. The answer to that of course, is to make a list and it is surprising how little there is on that list that is of real importance, especially when you start doing and crossing off the things in their order of priority. Then we think of the gifts we still have to buy. What shall I give? we ask, seeking inspiration, and

often grudging the giving. Perhaps we've forgotten how to give, willingly lovingly and generously. We've forgotten that the original idea of giving gifts at Christmas to our near and dear ones was because of the greatest gift that was ever given to mankind. We've forgotten God. Forgotten that He gave His Son. And not only did He give His Son, but He gave His ONLY Son, freely, lovingly and generously to mankind as a sacrifice needed to atone for man's sins. Humbly we accept that gift. It can never be accepted easually, off-hand-edly, as a gift of no real value. You have to acknowledge your unworthiness to have such a valuable gift as Eternal Life bestowed on you. And then God does the work of regeneration on your heart, making you fit for His presence in Heaven. Then, and only then, can we know the blessedhess of giving if we have first committed our hearts and lives into God's keeping,

then He gives His best to us. Then with a heart su-per-abundantly filled with gratitude to God our pockets should be touched so that we willingly, ungrudgingly, and generously give in return - neither extravagantly, or as little as we decently can, nor as a show to others of our greatness - but with overflowing love to God who gave - and continues to give us everything.

F.

Eves