On the ninth day of Christmas (January 2), my true love gave to me nine ladies dancing. So goes the song of giftedness for the twelve days of Christmas. If we add up all the gifts given according to the song, by the end of the twelfth day we would have received three hundred sixty four gifts from our true love. That amounts to a gift per day for a full year, minus one day of course.
Certainly, we enjoy exchanging gifts at Christmas, but there is usually an unwritten rule concerning the giving of gifts. To those whom we love the most, there goes the greatest gift. This gift will be cherished, as will the giver. There is also a corresponding unwritten rule for receiving. Sadly, the gift we receive is sometimes not up to par with our expectations. Our perceived standing with the giver just might be askew. Not so with Christ!
God does not impart grace according to a scale of least to greatest. No favoritism is shown towards those with perfect attendance in worship, or to those who pray more earnestly. God’s gift is given according to the merit of Christ, poured out lavishly upon all who call upon his name. This is the greatest gift of all.
Prayer: Thank you, O Lord, for the gift of your salvation. Amen.
In the Beginning 