Gift Giving

We opened our gifts today! I love watching the expressions & exclamations of our children as they open their gifts. I was caught again, that God is in the business of Gift Giving. His First Gift was planned & wrapped in human flesh by God Himself. Then later wrapped again in swaddling clothes. God knew our need before we knew it & gave the gift to meet it.

The pattern repeats itself throughout the Bible; like the Garden of Eden - God knew Adam's need for companionship before Adam did - but instead of just giving Eve, God sent Adam to spend time with and name the animals. When he saw each of their companions it brought to light his need; his deep abiding need for companionship. God was there, again ready with the gift, knowing all along that He, God was enough - but giving something that He knew humans would crave. Our need for Companionship is one of God's great gifts too. Isn't it neat that God has been giving gifts since the beginning. We pervert it with all the greed, and merchandising, but the fundamental needs don't go away. God, Companionship, Relationship.

Which reminds me, that 11 years ago, I married Jessica Elaine Higdon on December 27th, 1998. 11 years ago we took vows before God and accepted the gifts that He offered us in each other. She is my greatest friend, human teacher, and encourager. I am truly blessed. My goal for the next 11 years? To show her those words are true. Thank you, God for the gifts you give. Thank you for my wife, for companionship and for giving us what we didn't know we needed sometimes.

The First One about The One

Children have a great way of going straight to the heart of a matter. When God is involved they have a tremendous nack for seeing things as He sees them. They can see right through situations and people like x-rays. 

Christmas is just around the corner and I would like to urge you to wish for the Savior this season. My daughter put it in perspective for me the other day. The oldest one was asked what she wanted for Christmas, and she thought long and hard, and when little kids do that you never know what is about to come out of their mouth. 

She said, "I would like a bag for my Bible." 

That floored me - First, because going through my mind were the things i would have asked for at age 7. Or age 37. Secondly, I realized I am much more materialistic than i thought.



My children don't have long lists of stuff for Christmas. And the girls are continuing to teach me what I should ask for each year. Let me leave you with Scripture.


 Matthew 19:13-14, says, "¹³Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.  ¹⁴Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

I don't want to be caught this Christmas wishing for stuff and miss the Savior. I also don't want to get in the way of those that want to see Him, like the disciples. The disciples missed Him time and again, and they were the ones that spent the most time with Jesus. 

Among those gathered at the Manger, the first visitors had the chance to see gold and other fine things - but the thing that mattered most was the Savior. The Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God in Baby Form, Prince of Peace peacfully sleeping, Everlasting God in a frail human form. 


As my daughter learns more Scripture, she is going to discover the Word Made Flesh, she won't be able to help it. God will speak to her. This season, don't forget the REASON for it, and allow Him to speak to you. 


Whitt Out