Have you ever seen The Bishop’s Wife? It’s a lovely black and white film starring Cary Grant that tells the story of a struggling bishop, his wife and the angel who comes to help them.
At the end of the film, the bishop gives a sermon called, “The Empty Stocking”. He quotes this line: “All the stockings are filled, all that is, except one. And we have even forgotten to hang it up. The stocking for the child born in a manger. It’s his birthday we’re celebrating. Don’t let us ever forget that. Let us ask ourselves what He would wish for most. And then, let each put in his share…”
I got to thinking, does Jesus really need me to fill his “empty stocking”? I think that instead I can say that when He came into the world as a baby, He filled me and gave me what I desperately needed. A Savior, Redeemer, Friend and Lord.
Colossians 1:19-20 says, “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”
John 1:14 tells us that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
At the same time, it is very much true that we can get so caught up in materialism that we miss the wonder, grace and truth of the season. That we forget to reflect, like Rebecca did in her post, on the amazing nature of Joseph and Mary’s journey to Bethlehem and the fulfillment of prophecy that came about as a result of their obeying God and the law of the land.
I pray that you and I will literally stop at some point during the day and reflect on the Father’s gift to us on that night….a gift more meaningful and precious than any other.
So what gift can we give our Jesus? I love the verse from the Christmas carol, “In the Bleak Midwinter”:
“What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb.
If I were a wise man, I would do my part.
Yet what can I give Him, I give him my heart.“
A very Joyous and Blessed Christmas be yours!
photo credit
WANT TO SPEAK WITH GRACE TO YOUR KIDS INSTEAD OF YELLING?
9 Comments on What Gifts Can We Give Him?
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Beautiful! You’re so right. He doesn’t need anything. He just wants us to surrender our lives to Him. That’s what He came for! Merry Christmas!
Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I’m so encouraged by your thoughts. A very Merry and Blessed Christmas to you!
Beautiful, heartfelt thoughts here. Thank you for sharing them and the encouragement to just give him our hearts. Merry Christmas to your family!
Beautifully said! For many years, we have given gifts from our hearts to Jesus just before we say the prayer at Christmas dinner. We give things such as being kinder to those who frustrate us, offering service of some sort, etc. It reminds us all, especially those of us who get wrapped up in finding the perfect gift for each person, that we are celebrating because of Jesus and that we are striving to be more like him by giving gifts from our hearts.
Stacy and Rebecca, thank you for your thoughts! I seem to fail daily in giving myself to the Lord wholeheartedly. I’m so thankful that He is still so gracious and good to me despite it all!
Wow, thank you for this….and the reminder….it’s just our heart…why can’t we be more like Him…to only desire a person’s heart…which they shouldn’t give us, but HIM…but, that we should give our heart to Him and for Him…loving others…without any facades…just us…because HE is worth it all!!!
Loved this post. The best gifts truly do come from Him, don’t they? I give Him my worries, He gives me comfort. I give Him my burdens, He gives me peace. All I can offer is a tangled, messy, stained and sinful life, but He wants it just the same. Such marvelous, amazing lopsided giving!! Thanks for sharing this. Merry Christmas!
I’m so thankful it was a blessing to you, Kendra! Have a wonderful Christmas :)
Thank you for this post. Your words were an answer to a prayer.
<3 Kendra