A Christmas Devotional by Dennis Swanberg

Having experienced just over seventy Christmas ‘seasons, I’ve amassed countless memories. But few stand out more than the gift I would receive from grandfather, Carl Johnson, each Christmas of my youth.

Grandpa Johnson was a farmer, a sharecropper, and a man of simplicity. Neither side of my family were well off financially. We weren’t white collar, or even blue collar. We were more “sweat ring around the collar.” But each Christmas, we opened gifts that were the best that my parents and grandparents could offer. And every year, Grandpa Johnson gave each of us Grandkids a silver dollar. We all knew it was coming and tried to act surprised and excited.

At the time I could not grasp its measure or importance. But as I look back on the 22 silver dollars that I keep in a wooden box on my desk, I’m reminded that he gave his best gift to each of us. The coins are a symbol of his love, affection, time, attention, interest, and influence… all of which he gave freely and generously.

I’m also reminded that I should have more than 22 silver dollars in my box, but I did not always cherish the gift adequately and likely spent some of my coins somewhere along the way. My grandfather gave me his very best each Christmas and every day in between. Today I know that those coins are a priceless treasure that I did not always recognize.

Isn’t it the same with God the Father, who gave His very best gift! The gift of His Son, Christ Jesus! Who gave His life as a ransom for mine offering freedom from sin and death, access to His Holy Spirit, salvation and eternity with Him in Heaven.

Likewise, I treasure this gift today and am reminded of its immeasurable value each Christmas. But I recognize that I sometimes become complacent, selfish, and sinful, taking God’s Best Gift for granted in the same manner that I lost sight of the value and my appreciation of my grandfather’s coins.

Luke 1:31-33 reminds us that we’ve been given God’s Best Gift, the gift of His Son, to be called Jesus, who will reign forever, whose kingdom will never end.

Matthew 1:21 tells us that God’s Best Gift saves us, not only from hell and an eternity separated from God, but from sin and the daily torment of living a life of selfishness, against and apart from God.

This gift is not one to be opened once a year or realized down the road, but one that is given for us to open and experience afresh and anew each and every day.

So, as we go through this Christmas season, as we see the lights on the houses and trees. May we remember that God’s Best Gift, “the Light of the World,” is meant to change us, to give us the hope, to cleanse us, to dwell in us and through us. Let us not lose sight of the Greatest Gift of All and may we remember to unwrap it and embrace it each and every day!

For He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, the foundation of the world, and His Kingdom will last forever. He does not change us in order to love us… He loves us in order to change us!