“For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son… that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16a, 17b)
Generosity. We give gifts to one another at Christmas to imitate our God, who was so unimaginably generous that he gave us – his very self! Kids wake up Christmas morning to find out what’s under the tree, and a common question this time of year is, “what did you get for Christmas?”. Our response should actually be: “I got God, my Savior!” Not just two thousand years ago, but now, today! For daily he gives himself to me, he holds nothing back. He piles on grace after grace, so abundantly that I can never exhaust his gifts!
Teach me, Lord, to be more generous, not just now but always. Train me to trust my first impulse to give. Teach me to not hold back, to not fear. By your grace, make me a good student of your abundant love and mercy so that I might not regret missed opportunities. Make me more like the saints, those who poured out their lives in imitation of your self-giving love, Lord. Make me wholehearted, “prodigal” with my time, my attention, my stuff – my heart.
Love pours itself out. You, Jesus, “emptied” yourself in humility. Empty me of me, Lord. Help me to be a gift to others. Help me to live Christmas all year long. Amen.
Lessons From Love School 