Have you ever re-gifted a present?
In recent years the practice of re-gifting has been promoted as a way to deal with unwanted or unneeded gifts. After all, what are you going to do with two identical DVDs? What if you already own three Green Bay Packer caps? You could shove them into the depths of a closet or let them gather dust in the garage. But the better solution, according to re-gifting fans, is to pass the items along to someone else who will appreciate and use them.
While it may be practical, few people are going to tell the original giver of the present what was done with it. Re-gifting often carries the stigma of ingratitude.
There is one Giver who doesn’t mind at all when His present is re-gifted. In fact, He encourages it. He is the Giver of every good and perfect gift. Daily He showers His blessings upon us in the form of food for the table, clothes in the closet, family, friends, health, employment, and stable government. “The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing” (Psalm 145:15-16).
But on the first Christmas the Giver outdid even Himself. “When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).
God did not merely give us “things”; He gave Himself!
“The Word became flesh” (John 1:14) to make His home with us. He did not come as a guest expecting us to wait on Him. He came to “roll up His sleeves and get to work” by stepping into our place under God’s
holy law.
Our talk about love is so often empty words, but Jesus put love for God and for mankind into perfect practice in our behalf. We have brought upon ourselves a crushing load of guilt. Jesus came to lift that load off our shoulders, taking full responsibility for it on the cross. Isaiah foretold: “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for
our iniquities…” (Isaiah 53:5).
No gift is more practical or precious—not just for time but for all eternity! The Son of the Virgin Mary is none other than our God
and Savior!
Are you ready to re-gift God’s Gift?
Who would ever consider giving away what they need most? But, in effect, isn’t that what the shepherds did? “They made widely known the saying…” (Luke 2:17). The prophetess Anna did it too: “She spoke of [the Christchild] to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem…” (Luke 2:38).
Whether your name is Bob, Mary, Mark, or Andrew, the Lord encourages you to pass along the Gift of Jesus to everyone you can. He is pleased when His children spread the news. Do it without hesitation, for re-gifting the gospel does not leave us empty-handed. There is plenty of forgiveness for all. “The Lord… is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
This Christmas season go ahead and joyfully re-gift without apology. Pass along the Good News in your Christmas letters and cards. Invite the neighbor and coworker to Wednesday Advent services. Direct that friend who is disillusioned by the crass and cheap commercialism of the world to the priceless, profound mystery of the Baby in the manger—Immanuel, God with us!