When I think of the word gift in relation to Christmas, I think of the beautiful, but haunting, words by Christina Rossetti, "In the Bleak Midwinter." In particular, the final verse:
What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him, give my heart.
If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him, give my heart.
Everything about the Christmas story points to giving. As children, we portrayed the Nativity by dressing up as shepherds, angels, Mary and Joseph, the animals in the manger, and the wise me. And each of these characters had something to give the baby Jesus. But this last verse of this poem reminds us of what many of us feel -- that we have nothing to give to God. But the truth of the matter is that we are never poor. God blesses us whenever we give to Him, and we can never out give the blessings that God gives us.
May we give You our heart today, Lord Jesus, that You may reign in our lives forever. Amen.
Today's Advent Photo of the Day
#give #pictureadvent
This is a picture of a heart ornament that my sister-in-law cross stitched for us for Christmas 1984. Today it reminds me of the many gifts we receive at Christmas, the gift of our heart that we can give to Jesus, and God's gift to us, His son Jesus Christ.
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