The Perfect Gift and A Vacuum
Rod and I had been dating for about four months when we shared our first Christmas together. What made it even more special was that we had just become engaged to be married. I can’t recall all the gifts he gave me that Christmas, but I remember the vacuum cleaner.
It was a Hoover upright and was a great surprise! People sometimes laugh and sneer when they hear about Rod’s gift to me. How dare he give me a vacuum for a Christmas present? Was he expecting me to clean for him once we got married??
But I saw my gift a bit differently. I needed that vacuum, and it was the perfect gift! My roommate and I didn’t have one in the apartment we shared. Rod knew that and loved and cared about me enough to ensure I had what I needed. It had nothing to do with him expecting me to be a maid once we were married! He gave me the vacuum without any conditions expected or attached.
In the same way, thousands of years ago, on the very first Christmas, God knew humanity had a need. He looked on us lowly sinners, and because our sin separated us from Him forever and doomed us to Hell, He saw our need for rescue and salvation. Out of love, He gave the perfect gift.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
God gave the perfect gift, His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior.
“the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world”1 John 4:14
Just as my apartment’s carpet couldn’t be cleaned without a vacuum, sinners can’t cleanse themselves from the filth of their sins. Jesus took the punishment our sins deserved when he gave His life on the cross. Only by faith in Jesus’ sacrifice can our sins be washed clean, and we can have eternal life.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
I didn’t ask for a vacuum cleaner; Rod gave it to me. And when he handed me the wrapped present, I gladly received it. We didn’t ask for or deserve God’s gift of His Son, Jesus. He gave him freely, with the only condition being we must gladly accept His gift.
During this Christmas season, we can thank God for His perfect gift. As we observe the tiny baby in the manger, we must see beyond the wrapping of little fingers and tiny toes to see our Savior, Rescuer, and Redeemer.
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15
© 2022 Robin R King
