I’m growing older, as my wife reminds me dutifully. One thing about growing older is that you enjoy things in a different way than you used to. I don’t know about you, but for me the best part of Christmas gifts is now giving gifts, not receiving them. I love to give my loved ones gifts. When I was a kid I could hardly contain my excitement at what my parents had purchased for me. But now, I can’t wait to give my children what I’ve purchased for them. And reflecting on this change in my outlook, I can’t help but consider how much the Father must have been overjoyed finally to have His Son sent into this world, born of woman, born under the Law, to redeem those under the Law. No wonder those angels all showed up to share the good news with the shepherds. The giving Father’s joy is but dimly reflected in our gift giving, but what a joy it is to be able to give gifts and be reminded of the gift-giver of all the good and perfect gifts that come down from above, and most importantly, the One who comes down from above, Christ the Lord.
Dear Reader,
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