Today’s scripture: 1 Peter 1:3 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Sue Robinson):
Can you remember back to your childhood and think of the best gift you ever received? It might have been from Santa, or from Grandma and Grandpa, or that special one from Mom and Dad.
My favorite gift was a little toy stove with plastic food and pots to cook with. My Grandmother had made me an apron to go with it, and I couldn’t have been happier. This was long before the era of the Easy Bake Oven. Mine was metal and had printed burners and knobs, but to me, it was totally real! I can remember spending that whole Christmas day cooking up one delight after another for the adults in our family. Surprisingly, my favorite gifts to this day are gifts for my kitchen. Cooking is my hobby and passion. Maybe it started long ago on that Christmas morning when Santa brought a toy stove all the way from the North Pole.
Our Bible verse for today tells of other gifts infinitely more precious. “Blessed be the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead . . .” How many gifts are listed here? First is OUR GOD. The creator of the universe is called “our” God. What a gift is that! Second is MERCY. Abundant mercy. Something we don’t deserve but is afforded to us just because of God’s greatness. And HOPE. This is a lifeline that we can hang onto when all looks bleak. What a cheerless life we would have if it were not for hope. And RESURRECTION. The knowledge that Jesus gave his life so that we can live eternally in fellowship with the Creator.
Four gifts in one little verse. The Bible is full of many more promises and gifts for us to open. My Christmas wish for you is that you take this coming year and open a gift from God each day!
Prayer for the day: Dear God, as we open our presents this Christmas, help us to remember that you are the giver and originator of the best gifts of our lives. Thank you!
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.