Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!
2 Corinthians 9:15 ESV
I’ve been thinking about gifts…
Have you ever noticed how some gift givers get it right? When a gift is given in love and meets a real need, that gift can touch the heart and sometimes even the soul of the recipient. This is gift giving at its finest.
When I was growing up I was the oldest grandchild in my family and at Christmas my maternal grandmother was especially generous to me. I remember the year she gave me a camera—even before the rest of the family exchanged gifts. She knew I would love it. She couldn’t wait to see my reaction—and she was right.
As much as I felt honored to be trusted with my own camera, the best was yet to come. Tinkering around with that camera and experimenting with the lens changed the way I perceived the world around me. The world defined by the lens seemed more delicate, detailed, bright and beautiful. You could say that overnight my world changed from muted tones to full color. Zing! My grandmother’s gift pierced my heart and penetrated my soul.
During the Christmas season, we celebrate the gift of love our Heavenly Father gave to all mankind in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. This gift has eternal consequences because we intuitively know our response to the babe born in Bethlehem determines our future. This gift was given to not only zing the hearts of men but also to pierce their very souls.
Many composers, artists, writers and poets have tried to capture the sheer magnitude of God’s inexpressible gift. There have been many grateful renderings through the ages. This is mine.
One holy night long ago a babe was born
The Son of Highest, the Only Begotten of the Eternal Father, Jesus Christ.
He was sent to zing our hearts and pierce our souls—to conquer sin and set us free
Glory to God—all praise to Him for I know Him and He knows me.
By Holly DelHousaye Christmas 2016