gift exchange

Yesterday was fantastic!

Now today is here

The day after Christmas and typically the biggest day for returns.

Today is the day where people will spend time standing in long lines

To return or exchange the gift

That someone else spent time searching for and standing in line to get.

It is the day when the stores suddenly decide

that what you paid thirty-dollars for last week

is now worth eight dollars and fifty cents.

They have to move the inventory,

clear the shelves and get ready for the next big merchandising event –

uh, I mean holiday.

Sadly, however, material gifts will not be the only thing exchanged today.

Many also will return/exchange the gift of the Christmas season:

- Connecting with friends and family

- Thinking of others

- Sacrificing to give to others

- Listening to uplifting music

- Indulging in sweet treats

- Enjoying fun-filled gatherings

They reject and/or put away the season

 and many of the things that are enjoyable about it.

Some do it boldly as they always have.

And, while I do not agree with their sentiment,

I do respect their honesty.

Others do it quietly, returning the gift of the Christmas season discreetly.

They hope that no one will see or notice –

just like they hope that they will not run into Aunt Wilma at the mall

 as they return the sweater that she gave them.

They put down peace and pick-up worry. 

They go back into self-preservation mode rather than embracing selflessness. 

They count it a blessings that they will not have to see certain relatives again until next year –

not realizing that this might have been the last Christmas they would have to spend with them. 

They box it all up, bag it all up, stuff it all away and boldly declare,

‘Thank God it’s finished!’

Yet, even worse than returning a material gift,

or the gift of the Christmas season,

is the returning of the gift of Christ Himself.

However, there will be those who unfortunately make that choice as well.

Christ and Christianity do fit with their lifestyle

Scarlet is not their color, although He wore it valiantly for us all.

Neither do they care for the majestic hue of purple,

reminding us that He did indeed arise,

overcame death

and is now seated on His heavenly throne

with unending rule as LORD and King.

They count the gesture of salvation as meaningless –

even though God ‘stood in line’ orchestrating salvation throughout all the ages

(See Mt. 1:1-18 and Luke 3:23-38).

They count the gift of salvation as worthless,

despite the tremendous price which was paid.

How could they? 

Who would render their own Child

as payment for a gift

for somebody else?

(See I Cor. 7:23)

But none of that matters.

To some the gift will still be discarded.

However, they cannot exchange it for something comparable in value –

There is nothing that compares.

They cannot get a refund –

Nothing can match the price which was paid,

Not to mention, they did not pay for it.

Any reimbursements would need to be remitted to the Supreme Giver.

Best and blessed

Are those who receive the gift and hold onto it as precious 

(Jn. 15:5, 7-8)

Worse

Are those who refuse the gift altogether

(Jn. 15:6)

Worst

Are those who receive the gift and then later return it

As if they somehow,

After tasting the incomparable greatness of His glory,

Have now found something more valuable, pleasurable and life-sustaining.

‘For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit [Prov. 26:11]” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”’

(II Peter 2:20-22)

Refuse to give back or go back

If you received Him this Christmas season –

For the first time,

Do not allow the enemy to steal back what was freely given and received.

(Mt. 13:20-21)

If you received Him long ago –

Yet realized this Christmas season that the Gift keeps on giving,

New revelation, inexpressible peace and abounding joy

Do not return by picking up the worries of the world.

(Mt. 4:18)

If you have not received Him ever –

Never realizing that One last special gift at the tree which has your name on it.

Recognize that the gift of Jesus is yours today and all the goodness which follows.

(Jn. 3:16)

 REJECT  RECEIVE  RETURN  REMAIN

The choice is yours