Giver of Gifts…a post by Joy

As far as the eye can see, people across the world are experiencing the Advent Season as a time of waiting. Waiting in line for seasonal cups of coffee, waiting in the check -out lane with the newest toy or electronic gadget, waiting for gifts to arrive in the mail on time, and waiting for the beautiful Christmas Eve service that ushers in the dawn of another Christmas day celebration.It seems that “waiting” is just as much a part of the Christmas season as all the other events. In fact, maybe having to wait is actually a gift to many of us. It gives us time to ponder about the people that we want to bless with our gifts because we love them. Reflections of Christ being the greatest gift ever given and meditating on what that means to each of us personally is also experienced during the Advent season of waiting.For some, the Christmas season brings about anxiety and sadness because of past memories or present circumstances in life. In some cases, there may be those who “can’t wait until Christmas is over!”During my “waiting season” this Advent, I have been reminded repeatedly that Christmas is also about celebrating the GIVER of GIFTS. When we receive gifts from our loved ones, we enjoy being “en-gifted” by them, yet we know that we love them more than the gift they have given to us. Christ is the gift to us all and He is also the Giver by giving Himself freely to pay for our penalty of sin. In one sense, we don’t have to choose to love the Giver more because He is both/and: the GIFT AND THE GIVER!May we all be blessed and mindful of how Christ is continuing to work in us as we wait.