All Things Joyful with Alexa Balsiger

It was the last day of school before Christmas vacation. The classroom was decorated as a Christmas wonderland and the minds of the kids were anywhere but on academics. Ice cream sundaes and candies made it clear that I wouldn’t have much focus for them for the rest of the day–and that was fine, it was party day.

We had been reading the Christmas story from the Bible all week and this day, we were going to celebrate. We had a party to honor Jesus on His birthday–we wore party hats and ate birthday party foods. Then, in true birthday party fashion, I passed out presents. It’s no secret that presents are every kid’s favorite part of Christmas. I was just as excited to pass out the gifts as they were to receive them! The joy of a child’s face while opening a gift is so special. I heard lots of cheers, lots of “thank you”s and lots of “look at mine!” chants being shouted. I got lots of hugs and lots of smiles, but there was one boy who threw his gift on the ground, the puzzle I hand picked for him, and said, “I hate it.”

Suddenly those 15 others who were excited diminished–my feelings were hurt, my pride a little bruised, and my wallet a little selfish. I didn’t have to spend my money on him, I didn’t have to wrap a gift for him. I didn’t have to give him anything. After all, he didn’t give me anything and he didn’t do anything to deserve a gift anyway–it was just a representation of my Jesus.

After I sulked for a while, it it me. I didn’t give God a gift, yet He still gave me Jesus. I didn’t do anything to deserve a gift, yet He still gave me Jesus.

The boy left that day telling his mom how much he hated the gift and with her advice, he politely told me “thanks, but no thanks.”

My feelings were still ouchy, but my heart was aware of a new situation. How may times in my flesh do I reject God’s gift of Jesus? How many times do I crave the things of this world because they are somehow “better” than the most beautiful gift of all? James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…” am I recognizing my gifts as perfect and good? These gift from my Father that are handpicked for me? Or am I tossing them down, rejecting them and going for something of this world?

Sometimes it’s hard to recognize things as gifts–trials, difficulties, and all kinds of scenarios, but the Lord loves you so deeply and He has compassion on His children. Perhaps your difficulty is His way of wanting to embrace You in a new and deeper way. Don’t hate your gift from Him, treasure it, recognize it. Recognize Jesus as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty King, Savior, Deliverer, Redeemer and so much more that He is and embrace that gift.