Best Gifts

Hope-Filled Anticipation

Especially for children, Christmas time is a time of trusting anticipation. All of us have traditions that our families celebrate together. Our churches have traditions that we celebrate together. Here at Grace Chapel, we celebrate the concept of Advent – highlighting some of the precious themes of Christmas. Over the next 3 Sundays and Christmas Eve we will pause to remember the ideas of hope, love, joy, peace, and Jesus Christ – God made man. The celebration of Advent has become something that many of us have come to enjoy and anticipate each year.

What will your family be celebrating this year? Do you enjoy shopping, making Christmas desserts, decorating, reading, or watching a favorite Christmas movie together?

Romans 15:12–13 NIV

And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I hope that, as we enter this Christmas season, you and your family are blessed beyond measure. This is not tied to our finances, our politics, our reputations. It is connected to the Heavenly Father and His desire to meet all of our needs through amazing gifts that He has for us.

A Good Gift

While our daughter and her family were with us for the past few days, they began searching for a dog. An Eskimo dog and a silver lab were objects of their searches until they finally settled on a very good-looking black Labrador. Both Austin and Brittni were in favor of getting the dog, but Austin was definitely pushing for the dog the most. Now, they didn’t want the boys to know just yet, so they kept the idea to themselves for many days, even a day or so after they decided on the black Labrador.

Then, one morning they decided to let the boys know about the dog. Now, what little boy or girl would not be excited about getting a puppy for Christmas? However, Austin had to explain that getting the dog meant that there would be fewer other presents this year. Joshua had no problem and said, “Dad, a dog is a lot better than other presents.” Mom and Dad were assured, the boys were excited about receiving perhaps their best present ever!

What is the best present you’ve ever received? I watch the commercials of couples giving one another brand new trucks and cars. That would be pretty amazing. Cindy said ‘Yes’ when I proposed to her on Christmas Eve 37 years ago. But even that is not as amazing a gift as the gifts that the Heavenly Father gives to us.

The Great Gift Giver

About a month ago our community groups were asked a question about a passage in the book of James. The writers of the study wanted to know how this passage gives us hope:

James 1:16–18 NIV

Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

James Inspires Hope

One of the inspirational stories of the Bible is the story of James, the brother of Jesus Christ. During the life of Jesus, James was not among the disciples of Jesus. In fact, he misunderstood the ministry of Jesus. It wasn’t until he witnessed the resurrection of Jesus that he became a believer in his brother, who he refers to as the Lord Jesus Christ. This transformation of James offers a powerful hope for those of us who are praying for loved ones to acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Also, I think that it is important to note that these 3 verses come after James has been encouraging believers who have been going through some intense trials and tribulations.

James 1:2–3 NIV

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

James 1:9 NIV

Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.

James 1:12 NIV

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

God operates through the circumstances of our lives. People of all nations throughout the world as well as all of us in our blessed nation enjoy a Heavenly Father who is able to bring good gifts through trials, testings, and circumstances of this life.

Gifts of the Father

His gifts are good and perfect

I got acquainted to the Christmas classic, A Christmas Story, about 20 years after it came out. The movie features many of the quirks and inconveniences of family life around Christmas time. Ralphie has his mouth washed out with soap. His aunt gives him a gift that should be for a girl. And his father is sidetracked with a lamp among other things. However, Ralphie’s dream gift is a Red Rider BB gun with a compass in the stock that would cause some problems.

I do not remember that specific BB gun, but I do remember getting my first BB gun. I can tell you this, it wasn’t my mother’s idea to get me that gun. It had to have been my father’s – all country boys should have one. And, yes, that gun got me into my share of trouble! Hey, as far as I was concerned, it was an awesome gift.

James reminds us that the Heavenly Father gives gifts that are good and perfect.

James 1:17 (NIV) 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, ….

James is passionate about the origin of good gifts. Have you thought about your passion for good gifts? From where do you expect them to come? Tiffany’s? Bass Pro? Amazon Prime? Those will all fade and disappoint. James points out that even in the middle of your trials, God has good gifts for us.

His gifts come from above

Notice also that the good gifts are coming down.

James 1:17 (NIV) … coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

The implied application of this fact is that we are to look up! A couple of weeks ago Cindy and I were sitting with friends around a fire and looking up into the night sky. I’d forgetten that there were so many stars, so many galaxies! With the allusion to far-off heavenly bodies James evokes an image of looking up to receive something wondrous, in order that we may anticipate God’s good gifts instead of looking only at the hardship of our circumstances. [1]

We’ve all probably had the relative that gave the best gifts. Cindy’s sister, Lanora, has gained a reputation among her nephews and nieces of being a great gift giver. The kids may in fact be working her a bit in this area since they are growing up and catching on. But, they know that if they give a good enough hint about a bey-blade or a doll, there is a good chance that it is gonna happen.

James tells us to look up. There are gifts that come from the Father of the heavenly lights. He does not change like shifting shadows. One commentator writes, “The association of God with heavenly lights is an image of his exalted glory and power. The dissociation of God from shifting shadows is a declaration of his immutability. Both images are designed to give us assurance that we may rely upon him confidently.”

Our Heavenly Father resides in the heavens. He owns it all. He is without limitation in His ability to give gifts. Literally this reads "every gift good and every give perfect from above is continually coming down". (Preceptaustin.org)

The Father’s Gift

James also talks about a specific gift.

James 1:18 NIV

He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

The amazing gift that our Heavenly Father gives us comes from a determined choice. In our home my wife generally makes the choices about the gifts that we give to the grandkids, nephews, and nieces. I generally see it for the 1st time when the gift is opened. But, there are times when I specifically determine to be in on the process. I make a determined choice. Our Heavenly Father made a determined choice. Warren W. Wiersbe shares this story:

When I was a young pastor, one of my favorite preachers was Dr. Walter Wilson of Kansas City. He had a unique way of making old truths seem new and exciting. I once heard him quote John 3:16 and ask, “If you were to give a gift that would be suitable for the whole world, what would you give?”

He then listed several possibilities and showed how those gifts could not suit everybody: books (many people cannot read); foods (people eat different things in different parts of the world); clothing (climates are different); money (not every culture makes use of money). He came to the logical conclusion that only the Gospel, with its gift of eternal life, was suitable for the whole world; and he was right.[2]

It is through the gift of Jesus Christ that we enjoy regeneration, new life in the spirit, an eternal existence in Heaven. D. Edmond Hiebert said, “God resolutely will not let us perish.” William MacDonald explains, “His love to us was unmerited, unbought and unsought. It was entirely voluntary on His part. This should cause us to worship!”

Appreciation of our Father’s Gift

A big part of James’ letter deals with the appropriate response to the gift of Jesus Christ, the substance of our regeneration. Catch the practical response that the Father expects from His sons:

James 1:19–27 NIV

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

James understands that times can get hard, but he expects each of us to look up, be grateful, and understand how precious His gifts are to us.

A Great Heavenly Father + Good Gifts = A Great Hope

Edward Mote grew up knowing nothing of God or His existence. As a young adult he heard about Jesus and embraced the gift of salvation. He unwrapped the truth of Paul’s statement:

Colossians 1:5–6 NIV

the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.

Within the same week of his salvation, Edward Mote visited a sick couple in their home and pulled out a folded-up piece of paper on which he had scribbled four verses and a chorus. They went like this:

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

Refrain: On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace; in every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil. [Refrain]

His oath, his covenant, his blood support me in the whelming flood; when all around my soul gives way, he then is all my hope and stay. [Refrain]

His lyrics wrap up the thoughts of James in this 1st chapter. “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.” Folks, do not be deceived, there is no greater gift than Jesus. There is no more inspiring hope than our relationship with Him. Look up! See the Star of Bethlehem! Bow before Him!

[1] Stulac, G. M. (1993). James (Jas 1:16–18). Westmont, IL: IVP Academic.

[2] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (2001). Practical Illustrations: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians (pp. 70–71). Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.