We are in the season of gifts. Gifts are being thought about. Gifts are being purchased. Gifts are being wrapped. Soon, the gifts will be delivered, and gifts will be opened and enjoyed. I remember the eager anticipation as a child. I didn’t know what or how, but I knew that in this season, there would be gifts. At that time, as a child, I did not consider that they were bought and paid for by the labor and love of my parents. In those earliest days, all I knew was that “Santa” was certainly going to bring gifts. The excitement of that Christmas eve! I went to bed wide-eyed. I had to lie there and wait, because I was made to stay in bed (those were days when authority and respect were normal in the home). But, lying there, I finally must have drifted off, because early the next morning I awakened. “Oh! This is the day! I can get up!” I remember bouncing out of bed and going into the living room, and as I approached the tree, it felt magical. There were gifts! Lots of them! Just what I wanted! And more things than I ever dreamed about! And in the background were my parents—overjoyed with every minute of my shrieks of joy and exclamations of awe, as I so gladly received and began to enjoy the gifts. God is not poor. God is not stingy. Jesus taught that if natural parents know how to give good gifts to their children, “how much more” shall your heavenly Father give good things to His children in the power of His Spirit (Matthew 7:11; Luke 11:13). James said every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights who never changes (James 1:17). (Sounds like the Father likes lights when He gives good gifts). God gives gifts of ministries: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. These are given to minister to His children, so we can grow up into Christ and enjoy the presence of God in this life and forevermore. He still gives these gifts. He has not changed. God gives gifts through His Holy Spirit. These are “manifestations” of the Spirit. They are word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. Again, these gifts are given so we, God’s children, can have deliverance and encouragement as we grow up into the abundant life in Christ. Man says God has changed and no longer gives these gifts. Jesus said, “Fear not little flock; for it is the Father’s good pleasure to GIVE you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32 emphasis mine). We don’t want to disappoint the Father by refusing His gifts. We are in a season in the world, in which we need all the presence and power of God we can get. Let us be open to receive the gifts of His labor and love for us in Christ.
A Season of Gifts
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