THE BEST GIFT OF THE SEASON

THE BEST GIFT OF THE SEASON
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 by TRINA BRESSER MATOUS

PLEASE WELCOME

TRINA BRESSER MATOUS

DEVOTIONAL WEDNESDAY

I have always loved the Christmas song, Little Drummer Boy. There’s something about the tune, the words, and the sentiment that speaks to my soul. The song prompts me to ask what it would have been like to live during the very first Christmas, to have an inkling of who the child in the manger would one day be?

The angel who announced Jesus’ birth followed by the heavenly host who praised God must have been an incredible and, at the same time, confusing sight for the shepherds. It was enough to send them to Bethlehem in search of the boy king.

Though Little Drummer Boy mixes truth with fiction, I can imagine it occurring. As the shepherds found the manger, they began to understand the message of the angel. The desire to give this Boy King the honor and glory He rightly deserved grew. But what do you give the King of the Universe that He does not have already? The little shepherd boy gave what he had – his ability to play a drum. It was not much, yet it was all he had.

Today, many of us in North America are blessed with financial resources. We may not always feel like we are blessed. We may feel like we continually struggle to make ends meet from one month to the next. Yet in the spectrum of the entire world, we have much more than half of everyone alive today. That blessing often is most evident through the Christmas gifts we choose to give. We do our best to fill the wish list of those we love.

Have you ever considered that whatever you would choose to lay before Jesus’ manger is really no more than the pa rum pum pum pum offered by the drummer boy? God, who created the entire universe not through toil and sweat, but merely by speaking it into existence, does not have needs. He doesn’t need a poor boy’s beating drum.

Yet when we give, as the little drummer boy gave, from the depths of our hearts and with the full reverence due a mighty king, Jesus receives our efforts the same way the song portrays – with a smile of gratitude and appreciation.

We give gifts today because we were given the greatest gift of all. Sin sentenced us to death. That death was not just commuted but overturned completely. All who accept the gift Jesus gives move from certain death to eternal life. There is no better gift.

As we move through this Christmas season, it is worth considering what you have to offer the Boy King. He needs nothing. Yet He loves the gifts, however small and seemingly insignificant, we give with our whole hearts. What will your gift be?

ABOUT TRINA BRESSER MATOUS AND HER BIBLE STUDIES

The Christian Living Bible Study Series is designed to assist readers in their relationship with God, help them understand difficult passages, shed new light on familiar verses, and gain an appreciation for statements made within the confines of ancient cultural practices. Through these books, readers not only learn about the life and work of Jesus Christ, but also personally experience the love, grace, mercy, and redemption offered by the Father through the sacrifice of His Son. Learning more about the history and purpose of each verse will enable readers to grow in wisdom and knowledge.

Trina has a Masters of Arts in Christian Ministry from Ashland Theological Seminary and is a passionate Bible teacher and writer. For over 20 years, she has shared Biblical truths in compelling and memorable ways as a Bible study leader and a member of the Restorative Prayer Team at her church. Her trip through Turkey visiting historic sites including Istanbul, Ephesus, Cappadocia, Haran, and Antioch, as well as two trips to Israel’s holy sites bring reality to Trina’s teaching and writing. Additionally, Trina is an avid birder, loves to cook, travel, work in her garden, and knit.

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