Thanks Be to God

In case you didn't know, Christmas was yesterday.

It's the day Christians celebrate the birth of our Savior, the greatest gift the world has ever known, Jesus Christ. I have seen many people posting 2 Cor. 9:15 "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." And to that I say a hearty amen!

For many of us, it is also a day to exchange gifts with family and friends. We take the time to think about what they might need or want, we go out shopping at actual stores, or compare prices online, we obtain the gift, hide it, then carefully wrap it before presenting it to the person it was intended for.

(Or we forget completely where we've stashed it, and give it to them the next year!)

I think everyone's eyes light up a bit when they receive a gift, whether they are expecting one or not. It's always exciting to find that there is something just for you under the tree (that you didn't buy for yourself).

What do you find yourself or those around you saying when opening something especially thoughtful? If you're anything like me, you say "Oh, I love it!! Thank you so much!"

We see the gift, and we respond in the excitement of the moment at receiving something we've wanted. And we briefly thank the giver (perhaps with a hug, or meaningful glance) before moving on to the next gift.

I wonder, have you ever opened a gift, and when you find it is something you really wanted, said "Oh, I love YOU- thank you so much!"

Do we really recognize the gift as a token of love from the giver? I think many times we do not. We take the giver for granted.

The people who followed Jesus had the same problem.

Luke 19:35-37
(35) And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.
(36) And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.
(37) And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;

The people praised God for the mighty works they had seen, but not because God had come down to man. They saw the gifts He gave of healing, deliverance from demons, raising people from the dead, calming the storm, feeding the crowds, and they were thankful for those things, but didn't truly recognize who Jesus was, and praise Him for being God.

We know this to be true, because just a few chapters later they are so easily turned against Him, and call for Him to be crucified.

How often have we thanked God for the things He has blessed us with, but forgotten to thank Him for who He is? The season of Christmas isn't just about the baby who was born in a manger, and who that baby would become: Son of God and son of man, the Savior of the world, the Messiah, but also about who He already was! Creator, God, holy, righteous, good, faithful, just...

Let us remember as we go into the new year to seek the Blesser, and not just His blessings. To seek God Himself, and not just the benefits of being His child.

Psalm 29:2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

What characteristic of God can you thank Him for today?