Meaningful Gifts

As the holidays are here, my thoughts turn to gifts - gifts for my family and my close friends. 

When I was little, our three young cousins - all girls - each received the exact same gifts at Christmas.  Exactly the same, despite the girls' age differences.  Their parents did this to prevent jealousy among them, but I was appalled by it, even as a youngster.  

As humans, we long to be recognized and appreciated for our individuality, our specialness, by those to whom we are closest.

In the same way, when we bring our gift of praise and of worship to the Lord, let us not carelessly or mindlessly throw the same old song or dance toward Him, moving out of routine or just because we can. But rather, let's be still and dig deeper, drawing out the freshest, best offering we have.  After all, we are caught up in this delicious cycle of love, ever responding to His most wonderful gift to us - His Son, Jesus.

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" - 2 Corinthians 9:15