A Sacrificial Christmas Gift

A Sacrificial Christmas Gift

The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. Psalm 103:13

Daddy was a proud man. He was a teacher and a farmer, and he taught his children how to live upright and work hard. My siblings and I respected him and feared him because of his strength of character. What he said was law, and the law was laid down by biblical principles. “Honor thy father and thy mother” was often repeated in our house. He taught us lessons, not through lectures, but through his deeds.

The Christmas when I was eight started out like any other. My siblings and I waited patiently until the sun came up before racing to the living room, where the Christmas tree stood. As we rounded the corner, we came to a sudden stop.

There were only two presents, but there were three of us. Who was left out?

Turns out it was me! And I had so badly wanted a bike that year.

With a new house, the family budget had been stretched beyond its limits. And though I didn’t know it at the time, the new BB gun my parents had gotten me for my birthday in October was supposed to count for both my birthday and Christmas. But in my mind, as an eight-year-old child, I thought Santa had forgotten me.

My sobs awoke my father. When he heard my cries, he was determined to do something about it. This proud man humbled himself to beg and borrow enough money to buy me a bike.

I watched my father exchange his pride for my gift that Christmas. Even at eight, I understood what a selfless gift it was. My adoration for him has flowed ever since. Dad became my hero that day, and though he has since passed on to heaven, he will be my hero forever.

When I think about my earthly father giving up so much, I’m humbled at how much more God the Father sacrificed for us, sending his Son to die so that we could have eternal life.

Not everyone is blessed with an earthly father who would sacrifice the way my father did. But we all have a heavenly Father who willingly sacrificed to give us the best Christmas present we could ever hope to receive.

TODAY’S RX

Adore and worship God this season for the sacrifices he has made for you.

Thank you for sending your Son to earth, Father, to be the sacrifice for my sin. I am forever grateful for this undeserved gift.