Re-Gifted
I have a confession to make. I love re-gifting, especially when it comes to my daughter Marie-Louise. I have re-gifted the same gift to her for several years now. It was a really cute dress when I first gave it to her. Obviously she hated it as I found it on the bottom of her closet months after Christmas. She had never worn it, I’m not even sure she even tried it on. She was sorting clothes to send to the Good Will bin, and I saw the dress, unceremoniously tossed in the box. I grabbed it when Marie-Louise wasn’t looking and saved it. When It was Christmas time again, I re-wrapped the dress and put her name on it. You should have seen her face when she opened the box and there was the dress. I’ve dug it out of the trash a few times through the years. It’s not so pretty anymore, but oh how I love to re-gift it every year. I’ve even encouraged others to give her the dress just to mix things up a bit. Last year the look on her face was priceless as she received it twice, once from me and then from my sister Cheri. Every year I get the stern warning, “I better not get that same dress again this year,” only to watch my daughter question each gift, knowing that it will show up some place, and laughing hysterically when it does. Somehow that dress has become a tradition that keeps on coming.
As I pondered the re-gifted dress, I couldn’t help but wonder at the joy Jesus’ gift of salvation and all the blessings attached to it, bring. Like the dress that never really suited Marie-Louise’s style but brings joy to our gatherings every year, Jesus’ gift brings us joy in all the unexpected places. When money is tight and someone unexpectedly buys you groceries, or the hug and understanding words from a friend, the gift comes at just the right time. Over and over JESUS re-gifts himself. Each time, like the dress concealed in an elegantly wrapped box, his gift waits for just the right time.
As you prepare for your Christmas celebrations tomorrow, look for the unexpected gifts from our Lord. Many people are struggling because they cannot have all of their Christmas traditions. COVID-19 has changed many things. So many are celebrating alone tomorrow or in smaller groups. There won’t be as many gifts as other years, and even the weather seems to be contrary. Yet one thing remains the same. The gift of Jesus, wrapped up in love, salvation, peace, joy, hope, understanding, provision, and grace (this list could go on and on) is re-gifted to us over and over. Look for him tomorrow. Instead of focusing on all the things that are wrong this holiday, focus on what is right, the perfect re-gifted gift, Jesus.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.ESV
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,ESV